Florida sales tax holiday begins Saturday, here's how you can save on hurricane supplies
MIAMI – Hurricane season officially begins Saturday and so does the sales tax holiday.
The tax holiday will run from June 1 to June 14 to help Florida residents prepare for the coming season of potential heavy rains, flooding, high winds, electric blackouts, utility shutdowns, food and gas shortages and more.
During the tax holiday, consumers will not have to pay sales taxes on items ranging from packages of batteries to portable generators.
A second "holiday" for the same items will be held for 14 days starting Aug. 24, ahead of the mid-September peak of the season.
State economists have projected the savings to shoppers during the two periods at $80.2 million, cutting state revenue by $63.3 million and local government revenue by $16.9 million.
The preparedness tax holiday was first offered in 2006, following the damaging 2004 and 2005 storm seasons. The Legislature has approved it each year since 2017. Pet supplies and medicines have been added to the mix since 2022.
Among other things, shoppers will be able to avoid taxes on reusable ice packs costing $20 or less; portable radios, fuel tanks, and packages of batteries costing $50 or less; food-storage coolers costing $60 or less; tarps costing $100 or less; and portable generators costing $3,000 or less.
Also, the tax exemptions apply to such things as wet dog or cat food costing $10 or less; pet leashes costing $20 or less; cat litter costing $25 or less; pet beds costing $40 or less; and over-the-counter pet medications, pet carriers and bags of dry dog or cat food costing $100 or less.
Click here to see a complete list of tax-free items.