Glynn County’s hotel/motel tax rises to 7% in July
Read full article: Glynn County’s hotel/motel tax rises to 7% in JulyGlynn County’s Hotel/Motel Tax will rise from 5% to 7% beginning July 1, 2025, following the signing of House Bill 732 by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 1. The new rate applies to all qualifying room nights starting July 1, even if reservations were made or prepaid before that date.
Politics & Power: Promises made, promises kept & promises languishing in Trump’s 1st 100 days of 2nd term
Read full article: Politics & Power: Promises made, promises kept & promises languishing in Trump’s 1st 100 days of 2nd termNews4JAX political analyst and head of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Rick Mullaney joins me for this week’s episode of “Politics & Power” to break down all the issues in the president’s first 100 days.
Florida lawmakers remain at odds over budget, taking the week off
Read full article: Florida lawmakers remain at odds over budget, taking the week offFlorida lawmakers are still nowhere close to agreeing on a budget for the next fiscal year. That means the legislative session that was supposed to wrap up Friday will not end on time.
Lucky enough to be getting a tax refund? Here’s how to make the most of it
Read full article: Lucky enough to be getting a tax refund? Here’s how to make the most of itFrom paying off debt to investing in your home, the choices are endless, but which gives you the biggest bang for your buck? Consumer Reports breaks down the best ways to make every dollar count.
Survey finds that Gen Z is targeted by AI-driven tax scams
Read full article: Survey finds that Gen Z is targeted by AI-driven tax scamsA new survey by McAfee reveals that Gen Z, despite being tech-savvy, is the most targeted group for AI-driven tax scams, with scammers using fake IRS communications to steal personal information.
Study shows Jacksonville emerged as top tourist destination in 2024
Read full article: Study shows Jacksonville emerged as top tourist destination in 2024Jacksonville is rapidly gaining recognition as a popular tourist destination, with many visitors expressing a strong desire to return to the River City.
DeSantis begins push to lower Florida property taxes, wants constitutional amendment to increase homestead exemption
Read full article: DeSantis begins push to lower Florida property taxes, wants constitutional amendment to increase homestead exemptionAs the end of his term nears, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wants to make a major push to lower property taxes in Florida.
Owner of Florida healthcare companies withheld $10M in employee taxes, bought yacht, shopped at high-end retailers
Read full article: Owner of Florida healthcare companies withheld $10M in employee taxes, bought yacht, shopped at high-end retailersA Florida man who owned a healthcare company embezzled $10 million; instead, he misappropriated the funds to purchase a yacht and went on a personal spending spree at luxury retailers like Cartier and Bergdorf Goodman, resulting in a loss of over $10 million to the IRS.
Trump promises to cut taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security. Experts say consumers will eventually pay the price
Read full article: Trump promises to cut taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security. Experts say consumers will eventually pay the pricePresident Trump promised to make major tax cuts for Americans on the campaign trail, vowing to cut taxes on tips and overtime pay, social security taxes, and reduce corporate income taxes.
Cities across US making decisions on stadium construction deals for major sports teams
Read full article: Cities across US making decisions on stadium construction deals for major sports teamsCommunities across the country are trying to decide whether or not to shell out big bucks for professional sports stadiums. Supporters promise economic growth, but critics say the reality never lives up to the hype.
Could you see more relief on your taxes this year?
Read full article: Could you see more relief on your taxes this year?In a rare breakthrough, the House passed a $78 billion tax package, with bipartisan support, that would enhance the child tax credit for lower-income families and boost tax breaks for businesses.
Georgia Governor Kemp wants to amend bill to speed up state’s income tax cut
Read full article: Georgia Governor Kemp wants to amend bill to speed up state’s income tax cutIn Georgia, a bill passed in 2022 that reduces the state income tax each year until it reaches 4.9% by 2029. Governor Brian Kemp is looking to amend the bill to speed up the state’s income tax cut.
Why Shohei Ohtani’s heavily-deferred contract could be model pro athletes ask for going forward
Read full article: Why Shohei Ohtani’s heavily-deferred contract could be model pro athletes ask for going forwardOhtani has decided to defer $680 million of the contract until after his playing days are over, meaning he’ll take in roughly $2 million of salary each year for the duration of the contract that will run through 2033.
IRS aims to go paperless by 2025 as part of its campaign to conquer mountains of paperwork
Read full article: IRS aims to go paperless by 2025 as part of its campaign to conquer mountains of paperworkMost taxpayers will be able to digitally submit a slew of tax documents and other communications to the IRS next filing season and the agency plans to go completely paperless in 2025.
Ponte Vedra man must pay over $1.9M back to IRS for tax evasion
Read full article: Ponte Vedra man must pay over $1.9M back to IRS for tax evasionA Ponte Vedra man who pleaded guilty to willful tax evasion was sentenced Tuesday to a year and a day in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,927,077.90 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
Tick Tock: If you need extra time for taxes, here’s what to do
Read full article: Tick Tock: If you need extra time for taxes, here’s what to doYou need to get your 2022 tax return in to the IRS by next Tuesday, but if you can’t meet that deadline, you need to request an extension as soon as possible.
You’ve filed your taxes -- now, what should you do with those documents?
Read full article: You’ve filed your taxes -- now, what should you do with those documents?If you’ve finally gotten your taxes filed, you’re probably ready to put it all away and move on. Have you considered which documents you should keep? And for how long?
IRS issues tax relief for Floridians following Hurricane Ian’s devastation
Read full article: IRS issues tax relief for Floridians following Hurricane Ian’s devastationThe Internal Revenue Service announced Thursday that taxpayers affected by Hurricane Ian are eligible to receive tax relief following the recent disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Inflation and car prices: What’s going on? How did this happen?
Read full article: Inflation and car prices: What’s going on? How did this happen?It seems like you hear about it more and more these days: The extreme lengths people are going to in order to buy a new house; how much it costs to fill up the gas tank; and what we’re spending at the grocery store.
5 situations in which pets can be used for tax breaks
Read full article: 5 situations in which pets can be used for tax breaksFor those animal lovers who spend so much money on their pets and hope to recoup some of that cash spent when tax season arrives, this is the cold, hard reality: For the most part, you can’t.
Report: Duval’s half-cent sales tax garners $110M in 1st year, but public awareness needs improvement
Read full article: Report: Duval’s half-cent sales tax garners $110M in 1st year, but public awareness needs improvementThe committee overseeing Duval County’s half-cent sales tax for school improvement said in its first annual report it’s already ahead of schedule for how much revenue has been collected.
High gas prices will likely mean higher taxes to keep city vehicles running
Read full article: High gas prices will likely mean higher taxes to keep city vehicles runningYou may be feeling the effects of the huge gas price increase but it is also having an impact on something you may not have considered -- the money it takes to keep city cars and trucks operating.
Quiz: How much do you know about income tax?
Read full article: Quiz: How much do you know about income tax?You likely know what “income” means, and of course you’re aware of federal and state taxes, and the fact that we have to do them (or have them prepared for us, in some cases), every year. But how much do you know about income tax overall?
St. Johns County commissioners introduce sales tax increase, aiming for November ballot measure
Read full article: St. Johns County commissioners introduce sales tax increase, aiming for November ballot measureThe St. Johns County Board of Commissioners read through an official proposal Tuesday afternoon, which, if passed, would increase the county’s sales tax rate by one percent for at least the next ten years.
Explainer: Duval County schools’ half-cent sales tax vs. millage rate increase
Read full article: Explainer: Duval County schools’ half-cent sales tax vs. millage rate increaseAs Duval County Public Schools continues to grapple with a crippling teacher shortage and retention problem, superintendent Diana Greene recommended that the school board consider hiking property taxes by one mill in order to boost salaries, fill the record number of vacant staffing positions and bolster the district’s arts and athletic programs.
Child tax credit causing headaches for parents across the country as tax filing season gets underway
Read full article: Child tax credit causing headaches for parents across the country as tax filing season gets underwayAs tax filing season gets underway, parents are working to figure out what to do about the child tax credit, including those monthly advanced payments.
Jacksonville City Council votes against repealing local option gas tax
Read full article: Jacksonville City Council votes against repealing local option gas taxJacksonville city leaders on Tuesday voted 5-13 against repealing the implementation of a six-cent gas tax increase, which is set to go into effect in January.
Giving Tuesday: How these 4 tax break changes for 2021 can enhance contributions
Read full article: Giving Tuesday: How these 4 tax break changes for 2021 can enhance contributionsFor those who plan on donating to a charitable organization for Giving Tuesday, there could be some opportunities to receive money back when filing taxes next year.
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3 million Florida families to receive Child Tax Credit payments, starting Thursday
Read full article: 3 million Florida families to receive Child Tax Credit payments, starting ThursdayStarting Thursday, an estimated 40,000 Florida families will begin receiving $250 to $300 payments as part of the American Rescue Plan’s Child Tax Credit program.
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Online dashboard will allow residents to track Duval school’s half-cent tax revenue
Read full article: Online dashboard will allow residents to track Duval school’s half-cent tax revenueRevenue generated from a half-cent sales tax, which was approved by Duval County voters in November, has started rolling in and taxpayers will soon be able to track exactly how the money is being used.

Taxes: Answers to top FAQs about Social Security income
Read full article: Taxes: Answers to top FAQs about Social Security incomeEven for those of us who think we have some knowledge about anything tax related, it can be a stressful time. And it's certainly not a time when you want to play a guessing game.
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Explainer: How the child tax credit will change once the stimulus bill is signed
Read full article: Explainer: How the child tax credit will change once the stimulus bill is signedBelow is a brief look at how the child tax credit will change under the $1.9 trillion stimulus package, which is expected to be signed by President Joe Biden:AGE: Only children under the age of 16 are eligible for the current child tax credit, but the stimulus bill will make most children under the age of 18 eligible. AMOUNT: While the current child tax credit provides $2,000 per child each year, the stimulus bill will boost that to $3,000 for each child ages 6-17 years old; and $3,600 for each child under 6 years old. DISTRIBUTION: Like most credits, the current child tax credit is received as part of your annual filing process and is either applied to your income tax or your refund balance. The other half willLIABILITY: The new version of the child tax credit is expanded to be The new version of the child tax credit is expanded to be fully available to the poorest families , instead of restricting it based on the parents’ tax liability. To read the full text of the child tax credit section of the stimulus bill, refer to page 475 of the full document.
How do I file taxes if I’m working remotely in another state that’s not my residence?
Read full article: How do I file taxes if I’m working remotely in another state that’s not my residence?A common aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two or so years has been more employees working remotely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean all those people were working from their homes.
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How to file your taxes online securely
Read full article: How to file your taxes online securelyNinety percent of Americans will file their taxes online, either using a professional tax preparer or tax software. It’s the only one tested to earn top marks for data privacy, data security, and usability. You can also protect your personal tax information by simply looking for the HTTPS or a little lock at the beginning of a web address. So if either is lost or stolen, your personal data can’t be accessed. Consumer Reports has created a free online security planner to help you secure your devices and accounts.
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Tax Time: How COVID-19 is impacting your W-2
Read full article: Tax Time: How COVID-19 is impacting your W-2Your job, health, and finances may look a little different in the year of COVID-19, and that doesn’t stop with taxes. “If you work in a high tax state or a state that’s separate from yours now you’ve got two state income tax returns you’re going to have to file,” said Gary Kane, CPA at Kane & Associates. Each state has their own tax laws, which varies by the number of days worked, so check with your advisor. Ad“The tax brackets are like stair steps and so if your income is down, you’ve gone down the stair steps, and you’re paying tax at a lower rate,” said Kane. “That can grow and earn tax free, and you can use that money to pay your medical bills,” said Kane.
Is it time to switch to paying quarterly taxes? Here’s when to decide, and how to get it done
Read full article: Is it time to switch to paying quarterly taxes? Here’s when to decide, and how to get it doneThere’s one day each year that sticks out to American taxpayers everywhere, and this year is April 18: Tax Day. But to another group of people -- the ones who make quarterly payments -- there are three other times a year to pay up.
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Collecting internet taxes in Florida has a new twist
Read full article: Collecting internet taxes in Florida has a new twistTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate Finance and Tax Committee approved a bill Thursday requiring out-of-state retailers to collect sales tax on internet purchases. Florida is one of only two states that don’t require out-of-state retailers to collect the sales tax due from online purchases. He wants any added revenue from the collection of internet sales tax to be offset by tax cuts elsewhere. If they want to do internet sales, what’s the revenue increase? AdFlorida is the only state that collects a sales tax on commercial rent payments.
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2 steps to protect yourself from identity theft during tax filing season
Read full article: 2 steps to protect yourself from identity theft during tax filing seasonJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tax season is here, and with more people filing online than ever before, the risk for identity theft is even greater. According to the IRS, 80% of all Americans file their tax return online. According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 100,000 people reported either tax- or employment-related identity theft in 2020. The second is getting an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). This is not a new tool for the IRS, but the first time anyone can use it -- not just someone who has already been an identity theft victim.
This checklist will help ensure you have everything prepared for filing this tax season
Read full article: This checklist will help ensure you have everything prepared for filing this tax seasonRegardless of whether you’ve paid someone for help or tried to do it on your own, even just gathering all the data you need for filing your federal income taxes can seem daunting.
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Answers to your questions about tax filing season
Read full article: Answers to your questions about tax filing seasonAnd if you lost your job, you may actually owe money to the government. Here are the most common questions News4Jax has been asked:Will I owe taxes on my stimulus payments? If you did not receive all of your stimulus money, on your 2020 tax return, you need to request that money under the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 1040 form. AdDo I owe taxes if I received unemployment benefits? The IRS is aware of those who received unemployment money and will expect you to include income on your tax return.
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Lost a job or income? Don’t lose access to key tax credits
Read full article: Lost a job or income? Don’t lose access to key tax creditsThe “lookback” rule allows taxpayers to use either their 2019 or 2020 income, whichever is most beneficial, in order to get the most out of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. These are considered the two most valuable tax credits for low- and moderate-income working families. And they are refundable tax credits, which are particularly beneficial because they can reduce the amount of tax someone owes to zero or potentially yield a refund. That is because people need some earned income to claim the credits and money from unemployment benefits is not considered earned income in the eyes of the IRS. The Earned Income Tax Credit is worth $538 to $6,660 depending on income and number of children.
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DeSantis proposes holding tax ‘holidays’ again
Read full article: DeSantis proposes holding tax ‘holidays’ againRon DeSantis is again seeking to hold sales-tax “holidays” for disaster-preparedness supplies and back-to-school shopping as part of economic initiatives included in a proposed $96.6 billion budget released Thursday. In his new budget proposal, DeSantis projected $65 million in savings for Floridians from the two proposed sales-tax holidays. AdDeSantis also asked for a 10-day disaster-preparedness tax holiday before hurricane season, with shoppers able to avoid sales taxes on storm supplies, including generators priced up to $750. DeSantis’ proposed budget also includes $5 million for Enterprise Florida, the state’s business recruitment agency, and $50 million for Visit Florida, its tourism-marketing arm. The Visit Florida funding would be the same as in the current fiscal year.
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Avoid the Audit: How to properly handle home office tax deductions
Read full article: Avoid the Audit: How to properly handle home office tax deductionsIf you’ve been working from home, you may be wondering if you qualify for a home office tax deduction. The 2020 rate is $5 per square foot with a maximum of 300 square feet. So, if your office is 200 square feet that would be $1,000. Certain businesses, such as day cares, may have different qualifications for a home office deduction. These are complicated tax issues so be sure to check with your own tax advisor.
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Florida gets boost in tax revenues in December
Read full article: Florida gets boost in tax revenues in DecemberTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida in December recorded its best monthly general-revenue collections since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research estimated revenue for December at $336.7 million over a forecast revised in August. What’s more, the $2.999.4 billion in overall revenue was $154.4 million higher than what had been forecast before the pandemic hit. “The December results were above the pre-pandemic estimates for the month by the largest margin seen since the pandemic began,” the revenue report released Tuesday said. Sales tax numbers were up $178.3 million over the revised August forecast.
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Local tax referendums on the ballot throughout Florida
Read full article: Local tax referendums on the ballot throughout FloridaTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Voters in at least two dozen Florida counties are being asked to increase taxes on themselves or provide tax breaks for businesses creating jobs. The success of local tax referendums is often tied to how much control citizens have over the use of the funds. There are more than 25 tax referendums in the hands of local voters around the state. In nine counties, school boards are seeking to raise money through penny or half-penny sales taxes, or property tax increases. “So clearly the communities wanted to support their local school districts,” Messina said.

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