Scott Proposes $470 Million in Cell Phone, TV Tax Cuts

By  //  January 20, 2015

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Governor Rick Scott announced his proposal to cut $470 million in state cell phone and TV taxes that Florida families and businesses pay.

Gov. Rick Scott
Gov. Rick Scott

An average family spending $100 a month on cell phone and cable services will save about $43 annually. The Governor’s proposed $470 million cell phone and TV tax cut in the 2015-16 “Keep Florida Working” Budget is part of the Governor’s commitment to cut over a billion dollars in taxes over the next two years.

“With our cell phone and TV tax cut, every Florida family is saving real money- around $40 a year for spending as little as $100 a month between cell phone, cable and satellite bills,” Governor Rick Scott said.  “Our economy is improving and while it’s tempting for government to always think they can spend your money better than you. It’s your money!” 

Florida’s cell phone and TV tax is a heavy burden on Florida families.  Currently, Floridians pay a state cell phone and TV tax (CST) rate of 9.17 percent on nonresidential landlines, cell phone, and cable services, and a back-breaking 13.17 percent on satellite services.

According to Governor Scott’s office, the 2015-2016“Keep Florida Working” budget proposes to reduce the tax rate by 3.6 percent, saving virtually every household and every business a combined $470 million annually.  The Governor will release his full 2015-2016 “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget recommendations in the coming weeks.