Florida has changed hurricane tax-free periods. Is it a good deal for shoppers?
Need hurricane supplies? Looking to buy them without paying sales tax?
The Florida budget has done away with two tax holiday periods — at the start and at the height of the season and offered for about a decade.
But the tax break isn’t dead.
New this year: a year-round sales tax exemption on certain hurricane-related items.
Is that good for us consumers? It depends on what you need.
Most of the hurricane preparation items you found on the hurricane tax-holiday list for that two-week stretch are now permanently tax free. That list includes batteries, generators and tarps, more expensive items that cost you more in sales tax.
And in Florida, sales tax is already waived on most grocery items that are meant to be consumed at home, including staples including canned goods, produce, meat, dairy and bread. Bottled water is exempt, too. Prepared hot foods, soda and carbonated or flavored water are subject to sales tax.
What’s missing from the new year-around tax exemption on hurricane items?
Pet food and supplies — including cat litter, bowls, leashes, pet kennels and carriers and pet medications — aren’t on the permanent tax-free list even though they were included in previous years’ June and August tax-free holidays. Also, flashlights and lanterns are not listed. Previously, flashlights and lanterns selling for $40 or less were exempt during the tax-free holidays.
The Florida budget, of which the new year-round tax breaks are included, still needs to be signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The bill does not indicate whether the exemptions will apply to online purchases. In general, tax exemptions apply to both in-store and online purchases if the seller is registered to collect Florida sales tax.
Supplies included in the plan
These items are in the new Florida 2025 fiscal year budget marked for year-round exemption.
▪ Batteries: AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt and 9-volt.
▪ Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors.
▪ Some portable generators with a running wattage of 10,000 watts or less.
▪ Waterproof tarps or flexible waterproof sheeting that is 1,000 square feet in size or less.
▪ Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits.
▪ Gas or diesel fuel cans that are five gallons or less in size.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
