The official hurricane season starts on June 1 and ends on November 30. Meteorologists are predicting a quiet season, but it never hurts to be prepared. Starting on May 31, the state of Florida will have a 2014 Hurricane Preparedness Sales-Tax Holiday through June 8. This sales tax holiday includes most storm supplies.
Here’s the list of qualifying items as determined by the Florida Department of Revenue:
Selling for $10 or less:
- Reusable ice (reusable ice packs)
Selling for $20 or less:
- Any portable self-powered light source
- Battery-powered flashlights
- Battery-powered lanterns
- Gas-powered lanterns (including propane, kerosene, lamp oil, or similar fuel)
- Tiki-type torches
- Candles
Selling for $25 or less:
- Any gas or diesel fuel container (including LP gas and kerosene containers)
Selling for $30 or less:
- Batteries, including rechargeable batteries and excluding automobile and boat batteries (listed sizes only)
- AA-cell
- C-cell
- D-cell
- 6-volt
- 9-volt
- Coolers (food-storage; nonelectrical)
- Ice chests (food-storage; nonelectrical)
- Self-contained first-aid kit (already tax exempt)
Selling for $50 or less:
- Tarpaulins (tarps)
- Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor systems
- Tie-down kits
- Bungee cords
- Ratchet straps
- Radios (self-powered or battery-powered)
- Two-way radios (self-powered or battery powered)
- Weather band radios (self-powered or battery-powered)
Selling for $750 or less:
- Portable generators that will be used to provide light, communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage
Note: Eligible battery-powered or gas-powered light sources and portable self-powered radios qualify for the exemption even though they may have electrical cords.
Please keep in mind that some businesses are excluded from the holiday, so if you buy items at a hotel, airport or theme park, you will have to pay taxes. The sales tax holiday does apply to online purchases.
To see more information about the 2014 Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday, please click here.
