Stock Up On Hurricane Supplies During Tax-Free Week

FLORIDA — With the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially getting underway June 1, Florida residents have an opportunity to load up on hurricane supplies tax-free.

The 2021 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs through June 6 this year, giving residents a chance to stock up on flashlights, lanterns, weather radios and other supplies in preparation for hurricanes and other foul weather that passes through Tampa Bay now through Nov. 30.

“You don’t have to be a meteorologist to know that if you reside in Florida you better prepare for hurricane season," said Chief Financial Office and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis. "With NOAA recently predicting an above-normal season, there is no better time to gather hurricane supplies and take advantage of not paying sales tax on many storm-related essentials. Saving money and ensuring your family is protected is a win-win. A huge thank you to Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature for making it easier for Florida families to purchase critical hurricane supplies to ensure our communities are safe this hurricane season. I encourage all Floridians to take advantage of this great sales tax holiday."

On April 30, the Florida Legislature approved a bill that will deliver tax relief to families and businesses across the state, with a focus on sales tax holidays that offer a savings for Floridians preparing for the upcoming hurricane season and the 2021-22 school year. The bill also expands the current tax exemption for affordable housing properties and creates a permanent sales tax exemption for items that support independent living.

“We have all been so focused on the pandemic, that it can be easy to forget that hurricane season is right around the corner," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Miami. "This bill incentivizes advanced planning with tax breaks on key supplies families and businesses need for disaster preparedness."

Some examples of tax-free items include: flashlights and lanterns costing $40 or less; radios costing $50 or less; tarps costing $100 or less, coolers costing $60 or less, batteries costing $50 or less; and, generators costing $1,000 or less.
aster preparedness items such as flashlights under $40, batteries less than $50, tarps under $100, generators less than $1,000, and more.

For a full list of tax-free disaster preparedness items, click here.