June 1st - 14th: Hurricane Prep Sales Tax Holiday

There is no doubt we’ve gotten very good at storm preparation, response, and recovery. Someone give a different perspective, but since Florida was hit with Hurricane Michael we’ve taken on a new level of outreach and emergency management. It is extremely unfortunate that it took a storm like Michael to get us there, but better late than never.

One of the more recent items Florida has put in place is the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Like its Back-To-School cousin, the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday gives people the ability to purchase eligible items free of sales tax in hopes to better prepare people for storms. Instead of markers and folders, Florida retailers will not collect taxes on a host of items. In 2024, Florida has instituted two opportunities for citizens to take advantage of the sales tax holidays. The first runs June 1st to June 14th and the second takes place August 24th to September 6th.

I have gave my quick top 10, but a list of all items exempt from sales are listed here (Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday). Take this opportunity to get prepared for Hurricane season!

Here are my Top 10 items (in no order):

1. A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less

2. A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less

3. A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less

4. A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less

5. A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less

6. A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less

7. A portable self-powered light source* (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) with a sales price of $40 or less:

• Flashlights

• Lanterns

• Candles

1. Bags of dry cat or dog food weighing 50 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $100 or less per bag

2. Portable kennels or pet carrier with a sales price of $100 or less per item

3. Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less