Governor DeSantis announced a break on the state gasoline tax to help offset inflation and rising fuel costs. The savings are part of a larger tax relief package signed by the governor in May.
Throughout October, motorists will not pay the state’s 25.3 cents gas tax. The gas tax typically pays for transportation projects, but lawmakers chose to provide relief to Floridians by directing $200 million in federal stimulus funding to cover the tax revenue.
TAX HOLIDAY
This past June, prices at the pump went as high as $4.89 per gallon. But, throughout the summer, prices declined to an average of $3.40 per gallon. “It’s gone down, which is great. But a lot of that is just because demand pulled back because it was so expensive,” said Governor DeSantis in late August.
“There are more tourists. But it’s still 90 percent that would go to Floridians. So, that’s why they [the Legislature] wanted it once we get past Labor Day and into the fall. But the bottom line is, you know, we’re delivering a tax holiday for people,” DeSantis said.
GOOD TIMING
The relief couldn’t have come at a better time for Floridians, desperate for gas to power generators and travel home after evacuating. As reported in The Florida Standard, a video went viral on Twitter on Monday when Arcadia residents expressed gratitude to Governor DeSantis for getting gas delivered to the hurricane-affected area.
“This year’s tax package was truly an effort to benefit every Floridian in some way,” said Representative Bobby Payne. “Giving people more control over their hard-earned money is the kind of work that makes me proud to serve in the Florida House."
The bill also included ten sales tax holidays for a variety of items commonly purchased by Florida families. In addition to fuel, Floridians saw tax savings this summer on diapers, disaster supplies, and tools.
