Florida abolished the sales tax exemption on advertising 20 years ago after six months on the books and replaced it with a one-cent hike in the state sales tax.
Now Florida’s Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is proposing to give it another try to drum up funds for schools in the depressed state. The debate over the services tax has been renewed by a proposal from former Senate President John McKay, R-Bradenton, who wants the taxation and budget panel to approve a constitutional amendment that would wipe out 8 billion in school taxes while replacing the lost revenue by extending the sales tax to other goods or services. So any radio, TV or other ad contract could get a 6% tax surcharge tacked on.
If backed by the commission, the measure would be on the November general election ballot and go into effect by 2012.
