Can you buy hurricane supplies without paying any tax? Here’s how in Florida

The last week of August looks to be uncharacteristically quiet in the tropics, with no developing storms expected at least until midweek, according to the National Hurricane Center. “ Enjoy the silence because we know soon it will pick up again,” writes WPLG meteorologist Michael Lowry on his Eye on the Tropics blog on Monday.

But you can also seize the opportunity to prepare for the busier part of the hurricane season that lasts through November by beefing up your hurricane supplies while lines are shorter in the stores during the temporary lull.

Florida reinstated its Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday on Aug. 24 and it runs through Sept. 6. The idea is to give us a break on buying hurricane supplies with a pair of tax-free holidays. The first disaster tax break week was at the start of the season over the first two weeks of June.

Maybe you used up your supplies when Beryl rampaged through the Caribbean in late June or when Hurricane Debby doused parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast with flooding rains and power outages.

Get what you need soon and save some money. Here’s what to know:

When are hurricane tax-free days in Florida?

▪ The first sales tax holiday was June 1-14.

▪ The second tax holiday period opened Saturday, Aug. 24, and runs through Friday, Sept. 6.

During these tax breaks Floridians can build their hurricane kits of emergency supplies with qualifying household goods including pet food and supplies, batteries, flashlights, detergent, and other necessary items while avoiding the sales tax.

Note: Florida’s general sales tax is usually 6%. If you buy $10 in pet supplies, for instance, you’ll save 60 cents.

What supplies are tax free?

Some of the no-tax qualifying hurricane supplies include:

Selling for $10 or less

▪ Wet dog or cat food if sold individually or the equivalent if sold in a box or case.

Selling for $15 or less

▪ Manual can openers

▪ More pet supplies like collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls, cat litter pans and pet waste disposal bags, and hamster or rabbit substrate. Leashes, collars and muzzles for pets and pads, as well as cat litter that cost more are also included in the tax break. Also pet kennels or carriers and pet food of 50 pounds or less and over-the-counter pet medications that can cost $100 or less are included.

Selling for $20 or less

▪ Reusable ice.

Selling for $40 or less

▪ Portable self-powered light sources like candles, flashlights and lanterns.

Selling for $50 or less

▪ Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weather-band radios.

▪ Gas or diesel fuel tanks.

▪ Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only: AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt.

Selling for $60 or less

▪ Nonelectric food storage coolers and ice chests.

▪ Portable power banks.

Selling for $70 or less

▪ Smoke detectors or smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

▪ Fire extinguishers.

Selling for $100 or less

▪ Tarpaulins, Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting.

▪ Ground anchor systems, including bungee cords, tie-down kits.

Selling for $3,000 or less

▪ Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage.

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