October 2, 2015
Today, on National Manufacturing Day, the Manufacturers Association of Florida announced they will circulate a pledge to Florida Legislators that is due by December 1, 2015 where members can declare their opposition to raising taxes on Florida manufacturing. In 2013, the Legislature temporarily agreed to eliminate the sales tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment, from 2014 to 2017. If legislators fail to act to make this exemption permanent, the positive growth seen in manufacturing in the last 15 months could slow significantly. That positive growth is evidence that the “temporary” sales tax exemption is working. Manufacturing generates more economic activity per dollar invested in Florida than any other industry, with a multiplier of $1.43 for every $1 invested.
Nancy Stephens, Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of Florida said, “Manufacturing jobs are the jobs we need in our state to diversify Florida’s economy. We need to increase exports and produce more goods and that’s exactly what Florida manufacturers do. The more taxes imposed on expensive manufacturing equipment, the harder it is to create jobs. We call on the Florida Legislature to take immediate action to permanently eliminate the sales tax on manufacturing equipment and machinery.”
Florida ranks among the nation’s top 10 states for manufacturing and is home to more than 19,000 manufacturing companies. The state’s 330,000+ manufacturing employees produce a wide variety of goods including communications equipment, aerospace products, batteries, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, boats, food and beverage products and more.
This tax will disproportionately target Florida manufacturers. Most states do not have a sales tax on manufacturing equipment and Florida manufacturers will be put at a competitive disadvantage if this tax is not eliminated permanently.”
For more information on the Manufacturers Association of Florida, visit www.mafmfg.com 1625 Summit Lake Drive, Suite 300, Tallahassee, FL 32317 850.402.2954
