Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

With the start of both hurricane season and Florida’s first 2024 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday taking place on Saturday, June 1st, now is as good of a time as any to ensure your hurricane preparedness. Be sure to stock up on your Hurricane Preparation Supplies during the sales tax holiday, which begins Saturday, June 1st, and runs until Friday, June 14th, when consumers can purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax. The second Disaster Preparedness Holiday in 2024 begins on Saturday, August 24th, and ends on Friday, September 6th. During both of these sales tax holiday periods, disaster preparation supplies are tax-exempt, giving homeowners and families the perfect opportunity to best prepare for the storms that could be headed our way this hurricane season.

Fortunately for pet owners looking to ensure their pet’s health and safety throughout the hurricane season, pet care goods and items will also be tax-exempt. For a sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch, you can pick up wet cat or dog food. Items like cat litter pans, collapsible or travel-size food or water bowls, hamster or rabbit substrate, manual can openers and pet waste disposal bags are all available for $15 or less. If you're looking to spend $20 or less, you can grab reusable ice (including ice packs), pet collars, leashes, muzzles, and pet pads. And for $25 or less, you can get cat litter weighing 25 lbs. or less.

For a sales price of $40 or less, consumers can obtain any portable, self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand crank or gas) including candles, flashlights, lanterns, and pet beds. Fuel containers, including kerosene or diesel containers, batteries (including rechargeable batteries), in the following sizes: AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, 9-volt, and two-way or weather band portable radios (powered by battery, solar or hand crank) can each be obtained for a sales price of $50 or less. Portable generators in the event of a power outage are the priciest out of the list, however, they can still be obtained for $3,000 or less.

You can snag coolers and ice chests (non-electrical) and portable power banks for a sales price of $60 or less. For $70 or less, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors or alarms are on offer. And if you're looking at spending $100 or less, you can get your hands on bungee cords, ground anchor systems, ratchet straps, tarpaulins, tie-down kits, plastic sheeting or drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting. Plus, there are bags of dry cat or dog food weighing 50 lbs. or less, pet carriers, portable kennels, and over-the-counter pet medications all within the $100 limit.

These tax-free items can be obtained either in-store or online during the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. But before you hit the stores, it's smart to check the expiration dates on your current hurricane supplies like food, baby formula, pet food, water, and batteries—even the ones in devices. It’s also smart to ensure that any flashlights or lanterns still function as it is possible for bulbs to burn out or stop working. Don't forget to check your medication and pet medication too. If you are someone who stores all of your hurricane supplies in your garage it is likely for them to go bad or expire and the Florida heat is certainly no help. It's a critical time to update your emergency kit and save some cash, so definitely take advantage of this tax holiday.