Florida's Tax-Free Freedom Week To Take Some Sting Out Of Inflation

FLORIDA — Freedom week is here, giving Floridians a chance to purchase qualifying recreation and outdoor items along with admissions to entertainment and cultural events tax-free.

Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May, the sales tax holiday began Friday, July 1, and runs through Thursday, July 7.

To ease the toll that inflation has had on Florida families, DeSantis' signature on House Bill 7071 created 10 tax-free holidays on essential items, providing more than $1.2 billion in tax relief.

“Florida’s economy has consistently outpaced the nation, but we are still fighting against inflationary policies imposed on us by the Biden administration,” DeSantis said in a statement.

“In Florida, we are going to support our residents and help them afford the goods that they need. Florida has been fiscally responsible, so we are in a good position to provide meaningful relief for families, right now," he said.

DeSantis said this is the largest tax relief package in Florida's history.

The seven-day Freedom Week provides $70.6 million in tax relief by allowing Floridians to purchase tax-free movie tickets, state park admission, admission, tickets to live musical events, memberships to fitness facilities, tickets to sports events and admission to museums, plays, ballets, fairs and festivals.

Additionally, during Freedom Week, residents can purchase tax-free fishing, camping and sports equipment, pool supplies and boating and water sports supplies.

Also starting July 1, Florida has a one-year tax exemption on diapers, providing $38.9 million in tax relief to Floridians, and a one-year tax holiday on baby and toddlers clothes and shoes, providing $81.5 million in tax relief. Both tax exemptions run through June 30, 2023.

Parents can purchase children's books tax-free through Aug. 14. The three-month sales tax holiday for children's books is providing $3.3 million in tax relief.

And to help homeowners protect their homes from storms and make them more energy-efficient, a two-year sale tax holiday has begun on impact-resistant windows, doors and garage doors, providing $442.8 million in tax relief, and a one-year tax holiday on Energy Star Appliances, including washing machines and dryers, water heaters and refrigerators, runs through June 30, 2023, providing $78.5 million in tax relief.

Coming up is the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday, which has been extended to 14 days. From July 25 to Aug. 7, clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies are tax-free, giving Floridians $100 million in tax relief.

A one-week "Tool-Time" sales tax holiday runs from Sept. 3 to Sept. 9, allowing Floridians to purchase tools and other home improvement items tax-free. The "Tool-Time" tax holiday will provide $12.4 million in tax relief.

And a one-month fuel tax holiday from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 is designed to help ease the rising gas prices. The fuel tax holiday will lower the price of gas by 25.3 cents per gallon, saving Floridians a total of $200 million.

See related stories:

• DeSantis Signs $1.2B Tax Relief Package To Help FL Families Save Money
• Diaper Tax Relief Bill To Save Florida Families $38.9 Million