Save on hurricane, back-to-school supplies, more: Here’s when these 2024 Florida tax holidays are in effect

Several tax holidays provide savings for Floridians

Canoe (Pixabay)

ORLANDO, Fla. – There are several tax holidays for Floridians this summer, including a Freedom Month.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the tax package HB 7073, designating multiple holidays from recreational to school supplies savings.

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Here’s when each holiday takes place and what items apply:

Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday

Two, 14-day holidays from June 1-14 and 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.

[RELATED: All things hurricane season here]

Freedom Month

The monthlong holidays runs from July 1-31.

The following admissions are exempt from state sales tax:

  • A live music event scheduled to be held between July 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024;
  • A live sporting event scheduled to be held between July 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024;
  • A movie shown in a movie theater between July 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024;
  • Entry to a museum, including annual passes;
  • Entry to state parks, including annual passes;
  • Entry to a ballet, play, or musical theatre performance scheduled to be held between July 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024;
  • Season tickets to ballet, play, music events, or musical theatre performances;
  • Entry to a fair, festival, or cultural event scheduled to be held between July 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024; and
  • Use of or access to gyms and physical fitness facilities between July 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024.

The following recreational items are also exempt from state sales tax:

  • Boating and Water Activity Supplies
    • Life jackets, coolers, paddles, and oars selling for $75 or less;
    • Recreational pool tubes, pool floats, inflatable chairs, and pool toys selling for $35 or less;
    • Safety flares selling for $50 or less;
    • Water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and recreational inflatable tubes or floats capable of being towed selling for $150 or less;
    • Paddleboards and surfboards selling for $300 or less;
    • Canoes and kayaks selling for $500 or less; and
    • Snorkels, goggles, and swimming masks selling for $25 or less.
  • Camping Supplies
    • Tents selling for $200 or less;
    • Sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves, and collapsible camping chairs selling for $50 or less; and
    • Camping lanterns or flashlights selling for $30 or less.
  • Fishing Supplies
    • Rods and reels selling for $75 or less, if sold individually, or selling for $150 or less if sold as a set;
    • Tackle boxes or bags selling for $30 or less; and
    • Bait or fishing tackle selling for $5 or less, if sold per item, or selling for $10 or less if multiple items are sold together.
  • General Outdoor Supplies
    • Sunscreen or insect repellant selling for less than $15 or less;
    • Sunglasses selling for $100 or less;
    • Binoculars selling for $200 or less;
    • Water bottles selling for $30 or less;
    • Hydration packs selling for $50 or less;
    • Outdoor gas or charcoal grills selling for $250 or less;
    • Bicycle helmets selling for $50 or less; and
    • Bicycles selling for $500 or less.
  • Residential Pool Supplies
    • Individual residential pool and spa replacement parts, nets, filters, lights, and covers selling for $100 or less; and
    • Residential pool and spa chemicals purchased by an individual selling for $150 or less.
  • Electric scooters weighing less than 75 pounds, that are less than 2 feet wide and are designed for a maximum speed of less than 35 miles per hour, selling for $500 or less.

Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday

The sales tax holiday runs from July 29-Aug. 11.

  • Clothing (defined as an “article of wearing apparel intended to be worn on or about the human body,” but excluding watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, and handkerchiefs);
  • Footwear (excluding skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates);
  • Wallets; and
  • Bags (including handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags, but excluding briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags).

The bill also exempts various “school supplies” that cost $50 or less per item during the holiday, and learning aids and jigsaw puzzles that cost $30 or less per item. The bill also exempts personal computers and related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less which are purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.

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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