The 2014 hurricane season begins Sunday, and to help us prepare Florida will hold a nine-day hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday, May 31-June 8. Qualifying items related to preparing for hurricanes will be exempt from sales tax. Hurricane season starts June 1 and goes through Nov. 30.
Qualifying Items
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.
