Florida

Sales tax exemption for hurricane supplies ends Sunday

FLORIDA — If you still need to stock up on hurricane supplies, Sunday, June 6, is the last day you can save money on them by not paying any sales tax.

The Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs from Friday, May 28 to Sunday, June 6.

Linda Thomas told us she has already stocked up on her own supplies.

She has lived in Florida her whole life, so she knows what she needs for hurricane season.

“I always have water, canned goods, batteries, flashlights, candles,” she said. “I’m always aware and one step ahead of the game.”

The state wants to make sure everyone is ahead of the game by helping people save money if they prepare.

It launched the Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, which removes sales tax from qualifying supplies, as long as they fall within certain price limits.

Here is a full list of those supplies, with the corresponding price limits: Selling for $20 or less

• Reusable ice (ice packs)

Selling for $40 or less

Any portable self-powered light source* (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank or gas):

  • Flashlights
  • Lanterns
  • Candles

Selling for $50 or less

  • Any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers
  • Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only (excluding automobile and boat batteries):
  • AA and AAA
  • C-cell
  • D-cell
  • 6-volt
  • 9-volt
  • Two-way and weather band radios* (powered by battery, solar, or hand-crank)

Selling for $60 or less

  • Coolers and ice chests (food storage, non-electrical)
  • Portable power banks

Selling for $100 or less

  • Tarpaulins (tarps)
  • Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
  • Ground anchor systems
  • Tie-down kits
  • Bungee cords
  • Ratchet straps

Selling for $1,000 or less

  • Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in the event of a power outage

* Eligible light sources and radios qualify for the exemption even if electrical cords are included.

“I think it’s an excellent idea to prepare the community,” Thomas added.

It ends on Sunday, June 6. But, if you can’t pay for everything at once, or you can’t afford pricier items, you still have one more option.

You can use layaway at stores to take advantage of the sales tax exemption. For instance, you can apply it to expensive items like generators. As long as you make a deposit before the day is over, you can pay the rest off later.

“That’s a great incentive because most people that can’t afford everything to pay upfront, they can put it on layaway for later on,” Thomas said.

Keep in mind, the exemption will not apply to things like:

  • Gift cards
  • Rentals
  • Buy one get one free special

You can read more about exclusions HERE.