Jackie and James Silva, residents of Miami-Dade, load their car after shopping to prepare for the possible arrival of Hurricane Ian at Costco in Miami, Florida on September 25, 2022. The Silvas were shopping to help friends and family members who might need additional supplies.
Predictions for the 2023 hurricane season began with the storm forecast.
Two things we know for sure:. The season begins June 1. And there are two tax holidays to buy hurricane supplies.
“As we saw last year with Hurricane Ian, a disaster can bring a great deal of need to people in its path. Advanced preparedness can help keep people, homes and pets safe when disaster strikes,” Jim Zingale, executive director of the Florida Department of Revenue, said in a statement. “The 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Exemption Helps Floridians Save Money While Gathering Essential Supplies.”
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Here’s what you should know:
When are Hurricane Tax Free Days in Florida?
▪ The first sales tax holiday begins on Saturday, May 27 and runs through Friday, June 9.
▪ The second tax holiday period begins in the middle of the season, from August 26 to September 1. 8.
During these tax-exempt periods, Floridians can build their hurricane emergency supply kits with qualifying household items, including pet food and supplies, batteries, flashlights, detergent, and other necessary items while avoiding property tax. sales.
Note: Florida general sales tax is typically 6%. If you buy $10 worth of pet supplies, for example, you save 60 cents.
LEARN MORE: What hurricane season is likely to bring.
What supplies are duty free?
Some of the hurricane supplies that qualify tax-free include:
Selling for $10 or less
▪ Dog or cat food if sold individually or the equivalent if sold in a box or case.
Selling for $15 or less
▪ manual can openers
▪ Plus pet supplies, like collapsible or travel-size food or water bowls, cat litter trays and pet waste bags, and hamster or rabbit litter. Pet leashes, collars and muzzles and pads, as well as cat litter that cost more, are also included in the tax exemption. Also included are pet crates or crates and food for pets 50 pounds or less and over-the-counter pet medications that may cost $100 or less.
Selling for $20 or less
▪ reusable ice
Selling for $30 or less
▪ Laundry detergent and supplies: powder, liquid or capsule detergent; fabric softener; dryer sheets; stain remover; bleach. Also dishwasher and detergents used in dishwashers.
▪ Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins and tissues, facial tissues.
▪ Hand soap, bar soap and body wash, sunscreen and sun block.
▪ Cleaning or disinfecting wipes and sprays, hand sanitizer.
▪ Garbage bags.
Selling for $40 or less
▪ Self-powered portable light sources.
Selling for $50 or less
▪ Self-powered portable radios, two-way radios, or weather band radios.
▪ Gasoline or diesel tanks.
▪ Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, sizes listed only: AA cells, AAA cells, C cells, D cells, 6 volts, 9 volts.
Selling for $60 or less
▪ Non-electric food storage refrigerators.
▪ Portable power banks.
Selling for $70 or less
▪ Smoke detectors or smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
▪ Fire extinguishers.
Selling for $100 or less
▪ Tarps or other flexible waterproof sheets.
▪ Ground anchoring systems.
Selling for $3,000 or less
▪ Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage.
This story was originally published May 26, 2023 12:37 p.m.
