Don’t have your storm kit? ‘Sales Tax Holiday’ begins today
Residents across Florida will have the chance to stock up on hurricane supplies, tax-free, today through June 6.
The Florida Legislature created the seven-day “disaster preparedness” sales tax holiday that begins today to help offset the cost of equipping one’s home with the supplies needed to ride out a weather event.
“The Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is a very important and popular part of our tax cut package, which we strive to do every year. It encourages Floridians to prepare themselves for our temperamental hurricane season and allows them to save more of their hard-earned money while doing so,” said House Majority Leader Dane Eagle, R- District 77, which includes Cape Coral.
The qualifying items eligible to be tax-free during the time frame include:
* $10 or less: Reusable ice (ice packs)
* $20 or less: Candles, flashlights, lanterns.
* $25 or less: Any gas or diesel fuel container including LP gas and kerosene containers.
* $30 or less: Batteries, including rechargeable batteries in (only)size AAA, C-cell, 6-volt, AA-cell, D-cell and 9-volt. Coolers and ice chests (non-electrical).
* $50 or less: Bungee cords, ground anchor systems, radios (powered by battery, solar or hand-crank), ratchet straps, tarps, tie-down kits, Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths and other flexible waterproof sheeting.
* $750 or less: Portable generators used to provide light or communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage.
The tax-free holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items, as well as sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.
“I encourage all Floridians to take advantage of this tax-saving opportunity this weekend, rather than waiting until the last minute when shelves are empty and sales tax is collected,” said Eagle.
Items normally solid in a unit cannot be separated to qualify for the tax break. Items sold in a unit that may have some tax-free items will not qualify.
To see more information on what may qualify and what does not, visit www.floridarevenue.com.
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