Staff Reports
As last-minute shoppers scarf up pre-cooked turkey breasts, pumpkin pies and canned veggies for Thanksgiving, it’s not always clear what they’ll pay tax on and what they won’t.
No surprise, then that Florida TaxWatch has a quick guide to clue in those hapless supermarket-goers.
Dominic M. Calabro, president and CEO of TaxWatch, says his group is “helping taxpayers understand their tax obligations and get a better sense of where their hard earned-money is going this Thanksgiving.”
While Florida does not collect sales tax on most of the main food items, such as turkeys or bread stuffing, the state will collect on some desserts, all alcohol and soda products, and any prepared items that you pick up from your local grocer.
If you enjoy ice cream on top of your pie, the state can collect tax on the purchase of the ice cream if it is a pint or smaller.
While most items prepared on-site are taxable, bakery items – such as a pumpkin pie – are exempt if sold for off-premises consumption.
All soda is taxable, and alcohol is subject to not only sales taxes, but excise taxes as well.
More info is available at TaxWatch’s website.
