Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday to begin on Saturday

As hurricane season is in full swing, the State of Florida has installed a program to aid residents in preparation for any impending storms.

The Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday allows Florida residents to purchase storm-preparation tools without worrying about paying sales tax.

From Saturday, Aug. 23, through Sept. 6, selected items will be exempt from sales tax, incentivizing residents to prep the essentials or refresh their hurricane supply kits.

The Florida Department of Revenue has provided below a list of items exempt from taxes during this period:

• 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
• An item customarily sold as, or generally advertised as, 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
  o Flashlights
  o Lanterns
  o Candles
• Reusable ice (ice packs) with a sales price of $20 or less
• Supplies necessary for the evacuation of household pets. For purposes of this exemption,
  necessary supplies means the noncommercial purchase of:
  o Bags of dry cat or dog food weighing 50 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $100 or
  less per bag
  o Portable kennels or pet carriers with a sales price of $100 or less per item
  o Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less
  o Pet beds with a sales price of $40 or less per item
  o Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $25 or less per item
  o Leashes, collars, and muzzles with a sales price of $20 or less per item
  o Pet pads with a sales price of $20 or less per box or package
  o Manual can openers with a sales price of $15 or less per item
  o Collapsible or travel-sized food bowls or water bowls with a sales price of $15 or less per
  item
  o Cat litter pans with a sales price of $15 or less per item
  o Pet waste disposal bags with a sales price of $15 or less per package
  o Hamster or rabbit substrate with a sales price of $15 or less per package
  o Cans or pouches of wet dog food or cat food with a sales price of $10 or less per can or
  pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case

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