A Senate committee unanimously approved a bill (SB 330) Wednesday to lift the state’s admissions tax for future Major League Soccer all-star games held in Florida.
The bill also clarifies admissions tax exemptions on events surrounding National Basketball Association all-star games.
The Senate Finance and Tax Subcommittee, in an effort to attract more all-star games to Florida, approved the measure.
Currently no admissions taxes are on all-star games hosted by Major League Baseball, the NBA, the National Hockey League, the National Football League’s championship games and the Pro Bowl, and any semifinal tournament or championship game of a national collegiate championship.
Also exempt from the tax are baseball’s Home Run Derby, NBA Rookie Challenge, Celebrity Game, 3-Point Shooting Contest and Slam Dunk Challenge.
The measure gives a “generic” designation to the NBA all-star game and related events.
Sen. David Simmons, who sponsored the bill, said changes are needed to avoid a chance the state Department of Revenue would begin taxing admissions if the names of those events change.
