About 75 percent of Florida's federal taxpayers do not file the more complex itemized returns, instead opting for the standard deduction and shorter tax forms.

Floridians have complained for years that residents of other states can deduct the income taxes they pay to their state governments when they file a federal return. The deduction could be used only by people who itemize their federal returns. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, said many of the people who don't itemize don't pay any federal taxes.

He and Stearns both said they were optimistic that the tax break eventually will be extended beyond two years or made permanent. Both political parties are trying to woo voters in Florida and other swing states such as Nevada and Washington, which will also benefit from the provision.