FLORIDA MOVES TO SCRAP PROPERTY TAX

FLORIDA, the American state closest to Trinidad and Tobago, is moving to scrap property tax.

The state’s legislature is undertaking a study to determine the financial impact of eliminating the tax.

A committee of the Florida House of Representatives is looking at the proposal, which is designed to get things going toward the removal of the tax.

The measure is being piloted by representative Ryan Chamberlain, of Ocala.

Chamberlain explained that the research arm of the legislature will be directed to study the matter and to look at replacement measures to fund such government services as schools and roads.

Representative Rick Roth, of West Palm Beach, said: “If we can change the way we collect taxes in the state and not tax property, we will have more people being able to own property.”

Roth said that rent will also go down since owners of rental property will not be made to pay property tax.

Representative Webster Barnaby said the matter is about fairness because if someone does not pay property tax, he could not lose the property even though he has already paid for it.

Other legislators are offering cautious support for the plan.

A similar measure was discussed in Florida in the past but was inconclusive.

Proponents are now confident of its success.

Critics say the measure is unsustainable and will lead to higher sales tax.

Researchers have until February 1 to complete the research and submit a report to lawmakers.

In T&T, the Government is imposing a property tax above public protests that it will send up the cost of living, including rental charges.

Legislative measures to pass on the collected taxes to municipal corporations have not yet been approved by Parliament.

But a Government agency has completed the valuation of properties.