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Mark your calendars: These 2 Florida tax-free holidays are coming up

Disaster preparedness, ‘tool time’ tax holidays happening in a month

Save money on these items to build a hurricane kit during sales tax holiday

ORLANDO, Fla. – Floridians have upcoming opportunities to save with two tax-free holidays.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in May signed HB 7073, a tax package providing savings in various areas.

Two tax-free holidays are coming up at the end of August and early September. A 14-day “disaster preparedness” tax holiday will kick off Aug. 24 and run through Sept. 6. At the same time, a “tool time” tax holiday for certain tools will run from Sept. 1-7.

Here’s what items apply under each tax holiday:

Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday

This sales tax holiday runs from Aug.24 – Sept. 6.

  • A portable self-powered light source selling for $40 or less;
  • A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather-band radio selling for $50 or less;
  • A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $100 or less;
  • An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit selling for $100 or less;
  • A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $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, selling for $50 or less;
  • A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $60 or less;
  • A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage selling for $3,000 or less;
  • Reusable ice selling for $20 or less;
  • A portable power bank selling for $60 or less;
  • A smoke detector or smoke alarm selling for $70 or less;
  • A fire extinguisher selling for $70 or less;
  • A carbon monoxide detector selling for $70 or less; and
  • Supplies necessary for the evacuation of household pets. For purposes of this exemption, necessary supplies are the non-commercial purchase of:
    • Bags of dry dog or cat food weighing 50 or fewer pounds with a sales price of $100 or less per bag;
    • Cans or pouches of wet dog or cat food selling for $10 or less per can or pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case;
    • Over-the-counter pet medications selling for $100 or less;
    • Portable kennels or pet carriers selling for $100 or less;
    • Manual can openers selling for $15 or less; o Leashes, collars, and muzzles selling for $20 or less;
    • Collapsible or travel-size food or water bowls selling for $15 or less;
    • Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds and selling for $25 or less;
    • Cat litter pans selling for $15 or less; o Pet waste disposal bags selling for $15 or less;
    • Pet pads selling for $20 or less per box; o Hamster or rabbit substrate selling for $15 or less; and
    • Pet beds selling for $40 or less.

Skilled Worker “Tool Time” Sales Tax Holiday

This sales tax holiday runs from Sept. 1-7.

  • Hand tools selling for $50 or less;
  • Power tools selling for $300 or less;
  • Power tool batteries selling for $150 or less;
  • Work gloves selling for $25 or less;
  • Safety glasses selling for $50 or less;
  • Protective coveralls selling for $50 or less;
  • Work boots selling for $175 or less;
  • Tool belts selling for $100 or less;
  • Duffle/tote bags selling for $50 or less;
  • Tool boxes selling for $75 or less;
  • Tool boxes for vehicles selling for $300 or less;
  • Industry text books and code books selling for $125 or less;
  • Electrical voltage and testing equipment selling for $100 or less;
  • LED flashlights selling for $50 or less;
  • Shop lights selling for $100 or less;
  • Handheld pipe cutters, drain opening tools, and plumbing inspection equipment selling for $150 or less;
  • Shovels selling for $50 or less;
  • Rakes selling for $50 or less;
  • Hard hats and other head protection selling for $100 or less;
  • Hearing protection items selling for $75 or less;
  • Ladders selling for $250 or less;
  • Fuel cans selling for $50 or less; and
  • High visibility safety vest selling for $30 or less.

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About the Author

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

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