TALLAHASSEE, FL - (May 2, 2011) The Independent Lodging Industry Association today praised the Florida House for passing HB 493, a bill to clarify Florida's transient rentals tax, on a bipartisan 77 - 38 vote. Among other things, the bill would codify current law to make it clear that Florida is not creating a new tax on the service fee charged to consumers for choosing to book a hotel room through a third-party online travel company web site.
"On behalf of the thousands of independent hoteliers and small business owners across Florida, we are thankful for the advocacy of many leaders in the Florida House today, as they fought to ensure that Florida's tourism industry is protected from additional burdensome taxes," said Bobbie Singh-Allen, Executive Director of the Independent Lodging Industry Association. "Though special interests continued to spread lies regarding this bill, Floridians were spared an additional tax being placed on hotel bookings, and the truth won out in the end.
"As legislators learn the facts about this common sense legislation, we are confident they will stand up for low taxes and more jobs for all Floridians.
This bill would have no revenue impact at all, as consumers have never paid a tax on travel agent service fees. To reject this legislation would create a new services tax on tourism where a tax currently doesn't exist, starting Florida down a slippery slope of new taxes during a time when the state can ill afford it."
To learn more, visit: www.DontTaxMyVacation.com
###
Press
Room
