Florida, famously known as the “Sunshine State,” might soon change how it uses its tourism tax money. Right now, this money is spent on promoting tourism, taking care of beaches, and maintaining places like Raymond James Stadium.
But a new plan could redirect some of that money to give tax refunds to residents instead. It’s still just an idea for now, but it could soon become a new law.
What Is Florida HB 7033?
In 2025, Florida lawmakers introduced HB 7033, a proposal that would change how $150 million collected from tourism taxes is used. Instead of spending all of it on tourism marketing and maintenance, the money could be used for:
- Giving property tax rebates to residents, or
- Investing in local infrastructure projects.
The House Budget Committee approved this plan on April 22, 2025. The next step is for both the Florida House and Senate to vote on it by May 2, 2025. If passed, the law would start working from July 1, 2025.
This bill, supported mainly by Republicans like Rep. Monique Miller from Palm Bay, would allow counties like Tampa Bay to use up to 50% of hotel tax collections for the new purposes. Tampa Bay depends heavily on tourism: 33% of hospitality jobs and about 15.4 million visitors a year are tied to tourism.
The bill is scheduled for debate on April 25, 2025, and its future depends on negotiations between lawmakers. Some leaders hint it might be a temporary measure, but the current version doesn’t mention an end date.
Is Using Tourism Money for Tax Refunds a Good or Bad Idea?
The idea of returning money to residents sounds great for many Floridians. Representatives like Linda Chaney from St. Pete Beach support it, saying property taxes are a big burden on families. In places like Hillsborough County, property taxes generate about $1.5 billion every year. Giving back $150 million could bring some financial relief, even if it’s a small part of the total.
However, not everyone agrees. Tourism groups like Destinations Florida worry that cutting funds could hurt Florida’s economy.
They say it could:
- Reduce the money spent on advertising the state to tourists,
- Cause job losses in the tourism sector,
- Lead to fewer tourists visiting beaches and attractions.
Robert Skrob, director of Destinations Florida, warned that something similar happened in Colorado during the 1990s. There, cutting tourism promotion led to a $2 billion loss per year.
Other groups, like the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, fear there will be less money to fix and maintain beaches. This could badly affect tourist hotspots like Clearwater Beach, where clean and safe beaches are key to bringing visitors.
How Florida Residents Already Benefit from Tax Savings
Even today, Florida homeowners have some interesting ways to save on taxes:
If you pay your property taxes early (before the end of November), you can get up to a 4% discount on your bill. It’s a nice reward for paying on time!
Also, if you live in your home full-time (and not just use it as a vacation house), you can get up to a $50,000 deduction on your home’s value for tax purposes. This lowers the amount you are taxed on, which can save you a good amount of money every year.
And if you feel the appraised value of your home is too high, you can appeal it. By showing proof like photos or sales of similar homes nearby, you might get the value adjusted. If successful, you could also receive a refund for the extra taxes you paid in the past.