TALLAHASSEE – Senator Dorothy L. Hukill’s (R-Port Orange), Senate Bill 140 has passed Community Affairs, its first committee of reference, with unanimous support.

The legislation will reduce the sales tax on commercial leases. Florida currently requires that a 6% sales tax be collected from businesses that lease real property, and is the only state that collects such a tax. Senator Hukill’s legislation would reduce the applicable sales tax by 1%. The reduction would provide much needed financial relief to businesses that are burdened by this tax. It would also decrease the disadvantage businesses are at compared to other states that do not charge this tax.

"The reduction of the sales tax on commercial leases will encourage business growth and expansion in Florida," said Senator Hukill. "Florida businesses are at a disadvantage compared to other states and we need to ensure they can be competitive."

The bill will next be heard in the Finance and Tax committee.

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Award Honors Outstanding Representation of Commercial Real Estate Concerns

Tallahassee, FL – February 11, 2015 – The Building Owners and Managers Association of Florida recognized the Honorable Senator Dorothy Hukill (R—District 8, in the Orlando Market) as the recipient of the organization’s 2015 Legislator of the Year Award. The Award honors outstanding legislative representation of commercial real estate concerns, a vital industry to Florida’s economy.

Senator Hukill’s selection as The Legislator of the Year is bestowed to recognize and honor her significant understanding of issues impacting commercial real estate, most notably phasing out sales taxes imposed on commercial real estate leases. SB 140—Tax on Sales, Use and Other Transactions—aligns precisely with BOMA’s objectives to achieve job creation, economic development, Florida’s competitiveness, and rightsizing of taxation burdens.

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On Tuesday, February 10th, BOMA Tallahassee Governmental Affairs Chairman Mark Frost and Committee Member Morgan Sherwood attended BOMA Advocacy Day at the Capital, along with a large contingent of fellow peers from around the State.



The morning began in the Historic Capitol with a very enlightening introduction to the current legislative climate by former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and current BOMA Florida Lobbyist H. Lee Moffitt. Representative Greg Steube (R- District 13) presented an overview of his sponsored HB 101 and more specifically, his personal experience with Sales Tax on a Lease for his District office in Sarasota.

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