South Florida Dems: Give Sales Tax Exemption on Home Improvement Items to Seniors, Disabled

Two South Florida Democrats proposed a bill this week to exempt the sales tax for home improvement purchases for seniors and the disabled. 

State Sen. Lori Berman, D-Delray Beach, and state Rep. Joe Casello, D-Boynton Beach, teamed up to propose a bill would exempt bed transfer handles, bed rails, grab bars and shower seats from sales tax. 

The two sponsors insisted their bill would help seniors and the disabled remain independent and living in their own homes. The South Florida Democrats have championed the proposal before. 

“I’m excited to work on this initiative again with Senator Berman,” said Casello when they showcased the bill on Thursday. “My district is home to many seniors who are fiercely independent and want to remain in their homes as long as possible. These exemptions will help them to do just that.”

“By helping the elderly to afford equipment that allows them to remain in their homes, we’re helping them maintain dignity, self-sufficiency, and their overall well-being,” Berman said. 

The two Democrats reeled in a host of senior groups to support the proposal. The AARP, the Florida Alliance of Retired Americans and the Florida Council on Aging threw their support behind the bill. 

“The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans is pleased to support this legislation, which allows seniors to age in place by exempting from taxes certain items for their homes,” said Bill Sauers, the president of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans.

Berman introduced the bill in the Senate on Tuesday. State Sen. Janet Cruz, D-Tampa, who leads Democrats in the Florida Senate, is cosponsoring the bill. Casello filed the House version of the bill on Monday.