Florida TaxWatch: Holiday Retail Sales on the Rise

Florida TaxWatch released an economic commentary on Tuesday showing holiday sales will be on the rise from last year but insisted online sales continue to hurt revenue.

"Florida's retail industry is alive and well, producing more jobs and bolstering state revenues, which enables our elected officials to fund necessary programs that benefit all Floridians," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch on Tuesday.

Jerry Parrish, the chief economist for Florida TaxWatch, said increased tourism will help Florida garner more revenue.

"Tourists visiting Florida have a huge impact on our state," Parrish said. "The tourism marketing investments Florida has made are paying off in many other industries, not just retail."

"Florida businesses lose out on sales and the schoolchildren and elderly residents who depend on programs funded through the state budget lose out on services, all because of Florida's antiquated remote sales law," Calabro said. "The businesses that are investing in our state's communities and providing jobs to hard-working Floridians should not be penalized, and consumers shouldn't face the burden of remitting their own taxes. It is past time to modernize the way Florida collects sales taxes."

The commentary can be read here.