Florida Strong Families Tax Credit – What Businesses and Nonprofits Need to Know

By James K. O’Connor, CPA and Lindsey Earling

The Florida Strong Families Tax Credit was created in 2021 to incentivize support for eligible charitable organizations that provide services specific to at-risk families. This is a powerful opportunity for corporations to support these vulnerable families across the state while also receiving a dollar-for-dollar reduction in certain state tax liabilities.

How You Can Claim This Credit

For the 2024–25 fiscal year, Florida caps total available credits at $40 million. To be eligible for this credit, corporations must apply to the state of Florida, which opens on January 2 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Corporations must donate to a charity approved by the state that helps families by providing services such as the prevention of child abuse, supporting fathers and families with disabled children, or helping parents find jobs. A list of eligible charitable organizations is available on the Florida Department of Children and Families – Strong Families Tax Credit website.

Any corporate taxpayers in Florida are eligible to participate in the program. The tax credit is eligible to offset any liability for the following Florida taxes:

• Corporate income tax,
• Excise tax on liquor, wine, and malt beverages,
• Gas and oil production tax,
• Insurance premium tax, and
• Use tax due under a direct pay permit.

Following the application process, the corporation will receive a notification from the Department of Children and Families of approval or denial. Once approved, the corporation can make a monetary donation to a charity within the program.  If the corporation cannot use the full credit amount in the year it is received, the unused credit can be carried forward for up to 10 years.

How You Can Become an Eligible Charitable Organization

If you are a nonprofit organization interested in becoming eligible under the Florida Strong Families Tax Credit, you must meet the requirements set forth in Section 402.625(2) of the Florida Statutes.

• Be exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and have a principal office located in the state of Florida.
• Provides direct services for at-risk families, including, but not limited to, services preventing child abuse, assisting families with children who have a disability, improving parental skills and engaging absent fathers, and providing workforce development services to families who are eligible for the free or reduced-price meal programs.
• Submit information, including a description of the eligible service(s) provided, the number of individuals served, basic financial information for the organization and eligible services, and an organization contact.
• Annually, under penalty of perjury by an officer of the organization, submit a signed statement confirming the organization remains in compliance with the guidelines, is fulfilling the responsibilities for the previous fiscal year if applicable, and intends to fulfill the responsibilities for the upcoming year.
• Be willing to provide any additional documentation that is requested by the Florida Department of Children and Families to verify its eligibility and compliance.

If a nonprofit organization meets the set forth requirements and is interested, an officer of the organization can request the attestation template from the state by emailing [email protected]. They must include a statement confirming that they have reviewed the requirements and responsibilities and that they would like to apply.

Why This Matters for Businesses and Nonprofits

The Florida Strong Families Tax Credit stands as a vital bridge between the business community and nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting at-risk families across the state. By participating, corporations not only fulfill their social responsibility but also benefit from significant tax incentives. For nonprofits, meeting the eligibility requirements opens doors to essential funding and strengthens their ability to deliver potentially life-changing services.

Next Steps

With a $40 million annual cap and the application opening January 2 at 9:00 a.m. ET, timing matters. For businesses, our tax planning team can integrate this credit into a broader strategy to reduce current and future liabilities. For nonprofits, we help assess eligibility, prepare attestations, and build repeatable processes to stay compliant year after year.

For more than 40 years, Rivero, Gordimer & Company has been a trusted full-service accounting and advisory firm in Tampa Bay—supporting clients from day-to-day accounting through high-stakes decisions. Connect with our tax or nonprofit team to make the most of the Florida Strong Families Tax Credit in 2025.