Advocacy & Public Affairs

Advocacy & Public Affairs

Manufacturers move Tallahassee when they move together.

SRMA turns individual frustration with tax code and red tape into a coordinated, statewide voice — one that's already won real savings for Florida manufacturers, and is working on the next round right now.

2017
Manufacturing equipment sales tax exemption made permanent
2%
Commercial lease sales tax, down from 5.5% in 2024
3rd Fri
Monthly Advocacy Council meeting — open to join
How Advocacy Works at SRMA

From Tax Code to the Capitol

1

Know the Savings Already on the Table

Tax Strategy

Before fighting for new savings, most manufacturers haven't claimed the ones that already exist. Florida's Sales and Use Tax Exemption for manufacturing equipment — first passed in 2014, made permanent in 2017 — applies to any business whose primary activity falls under NAICS codes 31, 32, or 33. If that's you and you've never filed for it, you may be sitting on a refund.

  • Sales tax exemption on qualifying industrial machinery, equipment, & UTILITIES! 
  • State incentives tied to job creation, capital investment, equipment, and energy
  • SRMA members: real refund cases have run into six figures
Free to review. Florida's Department of Revenue publishes the forms directly — SRMA and CLA (our accounting partner) can walk you through whether you qualify before you file anything.
2

Statewide Advocacy in Action

Policy & Legislation

Individually, a manufacturer's voice is easy for a state legislator to miss. Collectively, through the Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council — a partnership between SRMA, FloridaMakes, and regional associations statewide — it isn't.

  • Elevates manufacturing priorities directly to key state leaders
  • Builds one shared statewide advocacy agenda, instead of a dozen competing ones
  • Organizes the annual Florida Manufacturing Advocacy Days in Tallahassee
Currently pushing for: repeal of the Tangible Personal Property Tax, a Buy Florida Act, and continued reduction of the commercial lease sales tax (already cut from 5.5% to 2% in 2024).
3

Add Your Voice

Get Involved

The Advocacy Council meets online the third Friday of every month — it costs nothing but an hour, and it's the easiest way to shape what SRMA fights for in Tallahassee.

Join the Conversation

Sit in on the next Advocacy Council meeting, or talk to SRMA directly about whether your company is leaving tax savings unclaimed.

Visit the Advocacy Council → Talk to SRMA →
SRMA · Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association of Florida

Tax Saving Resources