With Florida being two months into the Atlantic hurricane season, preparations could be underway for some individuals.
Buying a new generator, making sure batteries are stocked up, or stocking up on insect repellent are some things on shopping lists. Fortunately for Floridia residents and vistiors, it just got slightly cheaper.
Starting Aug. 1, certain items for hurricane preparation will be exempt from sales tax permanently.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida's fiscal 2025-26 budget on June 30, eliminating the previous two-week sales tax holiday on emergency supplies.
The new sales tax exemptions start Aug. 1, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.
What is tax-free for hurricane supplies in Florida 2025?
Under the new budget signed by DeSantis, a permanent sales tax exemption will be implemented for specific disaster supplies. The elimination of the sales tax on hurricane supplies starts on Aug. 1.
The permanent sales tax exemptions on emergency supplies replace the shorter sales tax holidays residents have been used to.
Among the items that always will be exempt from sales taxes — beginning Aug. 1 — are:
Batteries
AA
AAA
C
D
6-volt
9-volt
Portable generators capable of producing 10,000 running watts or less
Waterproof tarps, but they must be 1,000 square feet or less
Portable gas cans that have a capacity of five gallons or less
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Smoke detectors or smoke alarms
electrical or battery-operated device
listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory
Carbon monoxide detectors
Must produce a distinct audible alarm
Must meet the requirements of and is approved by the Florida Building Commission
Fire extinguishers that meet certain requirements, including:
Portable
Manually operated
Can be rechargeable or nonrechargeable
U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets
Sunscreen
Excludes cosmetics or other products that are not primarily intended to absorb, reflect, or scatter ultraviolet radiation
Insect repellent
Bottled water, first aid kits, and many food items purchased at the grocery store are already tax-free.
Bicycle helmets will also be tax-free. Previously, only youth bicycle helmets were exempt from sales tax. Beginning Aug. 1, all bicycle helmets will be exempt.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season: What to know about forecasts, emergency alerts
DIY kit: Hurricane season emergency essentials include canned foods, medicines, makeshift toilet
What are the months of hurricane season?
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
While the 2025 season is predicted to be above normal, as of July 31, there have been three named storms, with none threatening Florida or the United States. The next named storm in the Atlantic basin will be Dexter.
What months are the worst for hurricanes?
The season peaks around mid-August and late October because the waters in the equatorial Atlantic and Gulf get warm enough to help support tropical wave development.
Gianna Montesano is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at [email protected], 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: What is tax-free for hurricane supplies in Florida? Hurricane season
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