Amazon sales tax to add $80M annually to Florida

Miami-Dade County’s tax base is about to get a boost from Amazon, which recently announced it will begin collecting sales tax from Florida’s online shoppers starting May 1.

The move comes as the e-commerce giant gears up to open its new 1.1 million-square-foot warehouse in Hillsborough County and two “fulfillment” centers along the Interstate 4 corridor, the Miami Herald reported. The company’s decision was likely prompted by a state law requiring stores with a physical presence to collect such taxes, according to the Herald.

The Florida Retail Federation predicts the tax will garner at least $80 million in revenue, the article said.

Meanwhile, industry groups continue to pressure the Florida legislature to require Internet sales to be taxed and to reduce taxes paid on commercial real estate leases — which could save brick-and-mortar businesses roughly $235 million per year.

The county itself got a leg-up on revenue last year from trophy real estate sales, while other municipalities’ income shrank, as previously reported. For example, Tiny Indian Creek Village and Bal Harbour saw increases of 19 percent and 15 percent in 2013 due to pricey property deals. [MiamiHerald] — Angela Hunt