Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Ends Friday

Florida - The Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday ends on Friday for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

The Florida Department of Revenue offers a list of tax-exempt items, including flashlights, generators, batteries, pet food, and various household products.

The 2024 hurricane season is predicted to be above average, with forecasts indicating 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes, and 4-7 major hurricanes.

This outlook is based on the 30-year average of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 Category 3 or stronger hurricanes.

According to the State of Florida's Tax Information Publication , the following are a list of qualifying items:

• Reusable ice (reusable ice packs)
• Candles
• Flashlights
• Lanterns
• 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
• Nonelectric food storage coolers
• Portable power banks
• Smoke detectors or smoke alarms
• Fire extinguishers
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting
• Ground anchor systems
• Ratchet straps
• Tie-down kits
• Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
• Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage

It's important to be prepared for the hurricane season and stock up on necessary supplies while they are tax-free.

For more information on qualifying items and the tax holiday, please contact the Florida Department of Revenue.