Florida Retail Association Press Release
Tallahassee, FL — Consumers can find more cost savings at Florida retail stores this season during Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. The Florida Legislature renewed and expanded this year’s sales tax holiday to offer tax savings during two two-week periods: Saturday, May 27, through Friday, June 9, and Saturday, August 26, through Friday, September 8. Floridians can also expect to find tax-free savings on a variety of newly eligible items like paper products and laundry detergent. Florida retailers are stocked up to help Florida families prepare for severe weather this hurricane season.
“Tax free holidays give Floridians a chance to save while stocking up and getting prepared for hurricane season,” said Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “You can support your family and your community by stocking up at Florida retail stores. No one knows how to prepare for Florida weather like local stores and team members.”
Beginning Saturday, May 27, Florida families can save on the purchase of eligible disaster preparedness items.
Eligible items available to purchase tax-free include:
- Portable self-powered light source selling for $40 or less;
- Certain portable self-powered, two-way or weather-band radios selling for $50 or less;
- Tarps or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $100 or less;
- Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $100 or less;
- Gas or diesel fuels tanks selling for $50 or less;
- Packages of certain battery types, including AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt or 9-volt, selling for $50 or less;
- This does NOT include automobile and boat batteries.
- Non-electric food storage cooler selling for $60 or less;
- Portable generators to provide light, communications or preserve food selling for $1,000 or less;
- Reusable ice selling for $20 or less;
- Portable power banks selling for $60 or less;
- Smoke detectors or smoke alarms selling at $70 or less;
- Fire extinguishers selling at $70 or less;
- Carbon monoxide detectors selling at $70 or less;
- Dry dog or cat food 50 lbs or less selling at $100 or less per bag;
- Cans or pouches of pet food selling at $10 or less or equivalent if sold in a box or case;
- Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less;
- Portable kennels or pet carriers selling at $100 or less;
- Manual can openers selling at $15 or less;
- Leashes, collars and muzzles selling at $20 or less;
- Collapsible or travel-sized food/water bowls selling at $15 or less;
- Cat litter 25 lbs or less selling at $25 or less;
- Cat litter pans selling at $15 or less;
- Pet waste disposable bags selling at $15 or less;
- Pet pads selling at $20 or less;
- Hamster or rabbit substrate selling at $15 or less; and
- Pet beds selling at $40 or less.
The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday has expanded to include common household consumable items with a sales price of $30 or less. Eligible items are:
- Powder, liquid and pod laundry detergents;
- Fabric softener or dryer sheets;
- Stain removers and bleach;
- Toilet paper;
- Paper towels;
- Paper napkins and tissues;
- Facial tissues;
- Hand soap, bar soap and body wash;
- Sunscreen and sunblock;
- Dish soap and powder, liquid or pod dish detergents or rinse agents for dishwashers;
- Cleaning or disinfecting wipes and sprays;
- Hand sanitizer; and
- Trash bags.
This year’s Disaster Preparedness Tax-Free Holiday was established was created in HB 7063, a tax package proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee. The measure was passed by both chambers and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 25, 2023.
This hurricane season, the FRF encourages shoppers to “Find It In Florida” and shop at local retailers. Supporting local retail helps boost the local economy and supports Florida jobs. Learn more about the “Find It In Florida” program at the website.
Florida’s hurricane season begins June 1.Floridians can visit FloridaDisaster.org to learn more about how to prepare and what supplies are needed.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION
The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers — the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers contribute $239 billion to the economy every year and support 3.6 million jobs for Florida families, or nearly one-third of all jobs in the state. Florida retailers pay more than $69 billion in wages annually and collect and remit more than $35 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year.
