FL S0610

Establishes a food desert business tax credit equal to 20 percent of annual gross sales for qualifying businesses operating in designated food desert zones.

Defines eligible businesses as those with less than $15 million in annual gross sales that purchase at least 15 percent of inventory from in-state companies and derive at least 20 percent of gross receipts from retail sales of nutrient-dense foods.

Defines food desert zones as census tracts identified by the USDA with poverty rates of at least 20 percent or median family income at or below 80 percent of state median, where at least 500 persons or 33 percent of the population live more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from a supermarket.

Tax credit may be carried forward for up to 2 years if insufficient tax liability exists in the current year and cannot be sold or transferred.

Establishes criminal penalties including second-degree misdemeanor charges and mandatory administrative penalties of 100 percent of fraudulently claimed credits plus interest for taxpayers making false claims.