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TaxBuzz Top 5 - Dad Almost "Spits Out Coffee" Over Disneyland Breakfast Bill, Cuts to Fed Staff Pay Nixed From Trump Tax Bill & More

by
Rebekah Barton
on
6/20/2025
TaxBuzz Top 5 - Dad Almost "Spits Out Coffee" Over Disneyland Breakfast Bill, Cuts to Fed Staff Pay Nixed From Trump Tax Bill & More

Each Friday, TaxBuzz brings you the top five tax and accounting headlines you need to know from the workweek. We know life can get busy and you don't always have time to scroll through your news feed to stay informed.

We weed through all of the week's stories to showcase the most important updates in the tax and accounting world.

1. Dad “Almost Spit Out His Coffee” Over $937 Disneyland Breakfast Bill

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Credit: LordRunar/Getty Images

A viral post by John “Rock & Roll” Tolkien (@jrockandrollt on X) revealed he and his family of five spent $937.65 on the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures at Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim—plus a $150 tip—for a grand total near $1,088. Priced at $142 per person (including adults and kids), the three-course meal featured appetizers like lobster rolls, mains including short ribs and mac‑and‑cheese, desserts, and individual Princess interactions.

The $142 is pre‑tax; California sales tax applies, so the final pre‑tip total was higher. Presumably, a $150 tip (≈16%) inflated the total further.

The post garnered over 15 million views and sparked debate online. Critics on Reddit noted the meal cost was clearly disclosed upfront on Disneyland Resort’s website and that Disneyland’s premium experiences—like this—are known to carry steep pricing. Here's the tax breakdown of the situation that continues to spark controversy online:

1. Sales Tax Matters: California’s 7.75–10 % sales tax applies to dine-in meals. On $710 (five × $142), that's $55 to $71 extra, pushing breakfast costs higher before tip.

2. Consumption Tax Debate: Just like governments weigh GST or VAT's fairness—and who it burdens—this Disneyland meal spotlights how consumption-based pricing can catch families off-guard. Premium experiences (like character dining) add costs beyond base prices, much like how tax policy influences what we pay at checkout.

3. Price Transparency & "Sticker Shock" Tax: Advocates often stress clear price reporting, especially for low-income consumers. Similarly, critics say restaurants (or theme parks) should make taxes and surcharges visible early, mirroring calls for transparent taxation to protect consumers.

This nearly $1,000 breakfast bill is a mini case study in how sales taxes, tipping, and premium pricing amplify consumer costs. Whether debating Disneyland bills or public tax policies, the underlying message is the same: transparency in costs matters—both at the table and in tax codes.

2. Italy Delays Sweetened Drink Tax Again—Now Set for January 2026

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Credit: Peter Adams/Getty Images

Italy's long-debated tax on sugar-sweetened beverages has been delayed yet again, this time to January 2026. Originally slated to launch in early 2020, the levy has repeatedly been pushed back amid strong pushback from beverage manufacturers and political pressures.

Co-ruling League party legislators Riccardo Molinari and Massimiliano Romeo confirmed the postponement on June 20, emphasizing that the Italian cabinet is preparing a formal decree to cement the new timeline. Per Reuters, health officials initially introduced the sugar tax as a tool to lower sugar consumption and generate funds for public health initiatives, but successive governments have been wary of facing backlash from producers and consumers worried about higher retail prices and reduced sales.

The repeated delays highlight a broader tension between public health objectives and commercial interests. While advocates argue that a sweetened drinks levy can curb obesity and fund vital wellness programs, the beverage industry fears the measure could trigger higher costs for manufacturers that are ultimately passed on to shoppers.

With the tax now off the table until 2026, Italy’s policymakers continue to juggle competing goals: improving public health and preserving economic stability in a sector already strained by inflation and supply concerns.

3. Senate Blocks Moves to Cut CFPB Funding, Fed Staff Pay from Trump Tax Bill

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Credit: Fotografie Link/Getty Images

Senate rules experts have ruled that Republican efforts to strip funding from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and reduce non‑monetary federal employee pay at the Federal Reserve cannot be included in the fast-track "One Big Beautiful Bill Act".

According to a Bloomberg report, it was determined these provisions fall outside the permissible scope of the reconciliation process, effectively blocking Republicans from using the bill to enact such policy changes without bipartisan support.

Under the original GOP plan, repealing the CFPB's dedicated funding could have slashed over $1.4 billion, while the proposed cap on salaries for non‑monetary Fed staff aimed to further reduce spending. Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott emphasized that Republicans remain "committed to cutting wasteful spending" at these agencies, but acknowledged they will need to pursue those changes via the traditional appropriations process.

This decision adds another layer of complexity to the GOP’s reconciliation strategy, as other contested elements—like Medicare, Medicaid, and green-energy reductions—also await similar procedural scrutiny. With the bill now under closer review, lawmakers will have to determine which provisions can survive Senate rules or whether broader negotiations will be necessary.

4. Florida Enacts $1.3 B Tax Package Featuring Major Business Rent Cut and Multiple Sales‑Tax Holidays

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Credit: Roberto Galan/Getty Images

Florida lawmakers have approved a $1.3 billion tax relief package backed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R) for the upcoming fiscal year, with key components aimed at both businesses and consumers:

  • Business Rent Tax Eliminated: The centerpiece is the full repeal of the 2% business rent tax, which will reduce state revenue by approximately $905 million, benefiting commercial tenants and property owners.
  • Sales‑Tax Breaks & Holidays: Permanent sales‑tax exemptions for hurricane preparedness items (e.g., generators, tarps, batteries) totaling $114 million, along with tax-free smoke detectors, life jackets, bike helmets, sunscreen, insect repellent, NASCAR tickets, and state‑park admissions.

         - One-month back-to-school tax holiday delivering about $168 million in savings

         - One-time outdoor recreation holiday estimated to save $35 million

  • Mixed Reactions: Proponents such as Rep. Dean Black and Florida TaxWatch view the measures as permanent, targeted relief that supports business growth, consumer preparedness, and budget predictability.

Critics, including Rep. Angie Nixon, argue the package lacks property tax relief and broader support for working families, terming certain priorities “gimmicks” and pointing to missed opportunities

Looking Ahead: While the Legislature didn’t tackle property taxes this session, lawmakers approved a state-led study to explore reform options in 2026.

5. Cobb County Warns Public: Scam Letters Claiming to Be From Tax Office Demand Fake Fees

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Credit: Getty Images

Residents of Cobb County, Georgia, are being targeted by a troubling scam involving letters that mimic official communication from the Tax Commissioner's Office. Atlanta news network WSB-TV 2 notes that these documents falsely assert that recipients must pay fees to appeal property assessments, apply for homestead exemptions, or receive excess funds from tax sales.

Local officials emphasize that there is no fee required for any of these legitimate processes—filing an appeal, claiming a homestead exemption, or requesting surplus funds—from the Cobb County Tax Commissioner's Office. The county’s official social media channels confirm zero charges ever apply. If you received such a letter, officials urge you to inspect it closely, as scammers often use professional formatting and official-sounding language to mislead homeowners.

This scam joins a broader trend of con artists impersonating government representatives—from tax officials to prosecutors—to extort money. Cobb’s authorities caution residents to verify any suspicious communications and refrain from paying any fees without confirmation from official county sources.

Which headline this week most interests you?

Feature Image Credit: Atlantide Phototravel/Getty Images

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Rebekah Barton

Rebekah Barton

Rebekah's search engine optimization career began completely by accident as a college student. Over the course of her career so far, she has "grown up" with the SEO industry, from writing content while juggling classes to managing her own teams of writers and overseeing SEO strategy in subsequent roles. She is excited to bring her passion for high-quality content to CountingWorks, Inc.

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