Hurricane Preparedness Items On Sale Tax-Free In Florida

FLORIDA — As hurricane seasons gets underway June 1, residents can stock up on disaster preparedness supplies tax-free through June 9 as part of the 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.

Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday began May 27 and extends through Friday, June 9. A second sales tax-exempt period will begin Saturday, Aug. 26, and run through Friday, Sept. 8.

During the 2023 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, residents may purchase qualifying items related to disaster preparedness without paying state sales tax.

Related:

• Hurricane Season 2023 Predictions: NOAA Issues Forecast
• 2023 Hurricane, Tropical Storm Names Released For Atlantic Season

A list of items that are exempt during the sales tax holiday include:

• 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.
• A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less.
• A ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less.
• A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less.
• A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less.
• A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less.
• A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less.
• A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less.
• A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less.
• A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio or weather-band radio with a sales price of $50 or less.
• 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.
• A portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank or gas) with a sales price of $40 or less including flashlights, lanterns and candles.
• Common household consumable items with a sales price of $30 or less, including powder, liquid, or pod detergent, fabric sheets, dryer sheets, stain removers, bleach, toilet paper, paper towels, paper napkins, facial tissues, hand soap, bar soap, body wash, sunscreen and sunblock, dish soap and detergents, including powder, liquid and pod detergents or rinse agents that can be used in dishwashers, cleaning or disinfecting wipes and sprays, hand sanitizer and trash bags.
• Reusable ice (ice packs) with a sales price of $20 or less.
• Supplies necessary for the evacuation of household pets, including bags of dry cat or dog food weighing 50 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $100 or less per bag, portable kennels or pet carriers with a sales price of $100 or less per item, over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less, pet beds with a sales price of $40 or less per item, cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $25 or less per item, leashes, collars and muzzles with a sales price of $20 or less per item, pet pads with a sales price of $20 or less per box or package, manual can openers with a sales price of $15 or less per item, collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls with a sales price of $15 or less per item, cat litter pans with a sales price of $15 or less per item, pet waste disposal bags with a sales price of $15 or less per package, hamster or rabbit substrate with a sales price of $15 or less per package, cans or pouches of wet pet food with a sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case.
• There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased tax-exempt.
• The 2023 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport; commercial purchases of eligible pet evacuation supplies; or the rental or repair or any of the qualifying items listed above.
• Qualifying items placed on layaway during the sales tax holiday are tax-exempt, even if final payment of the layaway is made after the sales tax holiday.
• Items purchased by mail order, catalog or online are exempt when the order is accepted by the company during the sales tax holiday for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the tax holiday.

For a printable calendar of the tax relief holidays, visit the Florida Department of Revenue
Tax Holidays and Exemption Periods website.