TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Last month, Florida lawmakers finally managed to approve the state budget, just a couple of weeks before their deadline.
But unlike in recent years, lawmakers did not approve a “disaster relief” or a “freedom summer” tax holiday in this year’s budget, which took effect on July 1.
Typically, the tax holiday exempts several goods related to hurricane preparation and outdoor activities from the state’s sales tax, helping make these items more affordable for residents.
[BELOW: Here’s what to know about sales tax exemptions going forward]
However, lawmakers instead opted to make the sales tax exemption for many of these items permanent, meaning that this helping hand will be available year-round starting Aug. 1.
These items are as follows:
- AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries
- Smoke detection devices
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Portable generators
- Waterproof tarps and other flexible waterproof sheeting (1,000 square feet or less)
- Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
- Portable gas or diesel fuel cans (5 gallons or less)
- Life jackets
- Bicycle helmets
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
That being said, the budget does provide for a couple of other tax holidays, including a permanent back-to-school tax holiday that will occur throughout August each year.
This year’s budget also creates a “Hunting, Fishing and Camping” sales tax holiday, which will span from Sept. 8 - Dec. 31 this year.
The applicable items for these two sales tax holidays are as follows:
| Tax Holiday | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Back-to-School | Clothing | $100 or less |
| Back-to-School | Footwear | $100 or less |
| Back-to-School | Wallets | $100 or less |
| Back-to-School | Handbags, backpacks, fanny packs and diaper bags | $100 or less |
| Back-to-School | Pens, pencils, crayons, markers and erasers | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Notebooks, legal pads, binders, and construction paper | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Lunch boxes | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Glue and paste | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Scissors | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Cellophane tape | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Rulers | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Computer disks | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Staplers and staples | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Protractors and compasses | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Flashcards and other learning cards | $30 or less |
| Back-to-School | Jigsaw puzzles, memory games, and other learning books | $30 or less |
| Back-to-School | Personal computers and related accessories | $1,500 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Ammunition | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Firearms | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Gun cleaning kits and charging handles | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Holsters and pistol grips | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Sights, optics and stocks | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Bows and crossbows | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Arrows, bolts, quarrels and quivers | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Wristguards | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Sleeping bags and portable hammocks | $50 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Camping stoves | $50 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Collapsible camping chairs | $50 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Camping lanterns and flashlights | $30 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Tents | $200 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Fishing rods and reels (individual) | $75 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Fishing rods and reels (set) | $150 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Tackle boxes and bags | $30 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Bait or fishing tackle (individual) | $5 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Bait or fishing tackle (set) | $10 or less |