LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Hurricane season begins Saturday, but it never hurts to prepare early.
The hurricane tax free holiday begins Friday, May 31st and runs through June 6th and Floridians can stock up on hurricane supplies like batteries, flashlights and even some generators, without paying tax.
The discount is part of a tax-relief package (HB 7123) that lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved earlier this month.
The week-long sales tax holiday is expected to save shoppers $800,000, nearly one-tenth of the total tax-package savings projected for the fiscal year beginning July 1, according to state economists.
The discounted items will likely coincide with hurricane-season enticements from businesses, such as Lowes, Home Depot and Harbor Freight, that are already highlighting the arrival of the six-month 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which begins Saturday.
Matt Kurtz, the Assistant Manager at Sunshine Ace Hardware in Bonita Springs said the items that typically go the quickest this time of year are flashlights and batteries.
Customers we spoke with said they're learning from past storms by preparing early this year.
"The biggest thing I needed that I ran out of was fuel," said Craig Swiger. "This year, I have more gas tanks, gas cans, filled up ready to go."
Items eligible for the tax break from May 31 through June 6 are:
$10 or less
- Reusable ice (ice packs)
$20 or less
- Any portable self-powered light source (flashlights, lanterns, candles)
$25 or less
- Any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers
$30 or less
- Batteries, including rechargeable batteries (excluding automobile and boat batteries)
- AA and AAA
- C-cell
- D-cell
- 6-volt
- 9-volt
- Coolers and ice chests (food storage, non-electrical)
$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 (powered by battery, solar, or hand crank, including two-way and weather band)
$750 or less
- Portable generators used to provide light or communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage
- Portable generators used to provide light or communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage
Always exempt
- Bottled water (unflavored, uncarbonated)
- Canned food, including meats, vegetables, fruit, peanut butter, and other nonperishable items
- First aid kits
- Prescription and non-prescription medications (all RX and most over-the-counter are exempt)
- Baby food and formula
The rental or repair of items doesn’t qualify for the exemption, and items sold at airports and theme parks are not included in the deal.
