HB 215 Summary

• Establishes a 6% tax on rental or license fees for commercial real property use, effective January 1, 2016, with certain exemptions for agricultural property, dwelling units, utilities, airports, ports, and qualified production services.

• Creates annual escalating exemptions of the first amount of rent charged per calendar year: $10,000 (2016), increasing by $10,000 annually to $90,000 by 2024, then $60,000-$90,000 thereafter through 2024.

• Repeals the entire commercial real property rental tax (s. 212.031) effective January 1, 2025.

• Conforms related tax provisions in sections 212.0598 (air carriers), 212.0602 (education), 288.1258 (entertainment industry), 338.234 (Florida Turnpike), and 341.840 (high-speed rail) to remove references to the repealed tax.

• Takes effect July 1, 2016, except for provisions specifically designated as effective January 1, 2025.