As Floridians recover from a destructive hurricane season, the need for pre-season preparation has been top of mind for Sunshine State residents. It is with this in mind that Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) has filed legislation that would give Floridians a tax break for disaster preparedness supplies in 2018.
Senator Passidomo’s bill, SB 620, if passed, would create a tax holiday from June 1-10 of 2018. During this time period, shoppers will not have to pay sales tax on eligible items and supplies that can be used to prepare for and recover from natural disasters that hit the Sunshine State.
“Florida is all too familiar with the impacts that hurricanes can have, and by providing this Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, we will help ensure that our residents and visitors are prepared and protected. I want to thank Senator Passidomo for her leadership in proposing this important legislation, and we look forward to working with her and other legislative leaders on its passage.” – R. Scott Shalley, FRF President and CEO
This sales tax holiday totals $4.5 million in savings for Florida families. Florida has had similar “hurricane preparedness sales tax holidays” four previous times — in 2005 for 12 days, in 2006 for 12 days, in 2007 for 12 days and in 2014 for nine days.
During the holiday, sales tax will not be collected on the following popular items (for a complete listing of these items and other information, please click here):
- A portable self-powered light source selling for $20 or less.
- A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or Weatherband radio selling for $50 or less.
- A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less.
- A self-contained first-aid kit selling for $30 or less.
- A ground anchor system or tie-down kit selling for $50 or less.
- A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less.
- A package of AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less.
- A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $30 or less.
- A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage selling for $750 or less.
- Reusable ice selling for $10 or less.
