Casino Boats Argue Florida Tax Rules

FLORIDA – As reported by the Associated Press: "Any ship that docks in Florida and lets passengers gamble once it leaves state waters on "cruises to nowhere" owes state taxes, a state lawyer told the Florida Supreme Court.

"But an attorney for New Sea Escape argued Thursday that its ship is exempt because it is a Bahamian vessel engaged in foreign commerce.

"…The legal issue before Florida's high court is the tax liability of cruise ships that leave Florida ports, travel outside the state's territorial waters before opening up their casinos, and return to Florida several hours later.

"The state Department of Revenue contends that New Sea Escape Cruises owes more than $1.4 million in back taxes and penalties for cruises that departed from and returned to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale…"