Hurricane Supply Tax Holiday to Save Fla. Consumers $9.3 M

Gov. Jeb Bush has signed HB 6001 into law, the state’s first 12-day sales-tax holiday which permits Floridians to purchase a variety of hurricane supplies and saves consumers $9.3 million. The law gives purchasers a window, from June 1 to June 12, during which homeowners can buy a variety of emergency supplies without having to pay the state’s 6 percent sales tax.

“Being prepared for hurricane season can protect property and save lives,” Bush said during a press conference in Pensacola, Fla. “I hope this tax benefit will encourage Floridians to ready themselves, their families, homes and businesses for the 2005 hurricane season.”

The following items will be exempt from any state or local sales tax from June 1 to June 12:

Items selling for $20 or less: Any portable self-powered light source; battery-powered flashlights; battery-powered lanterns; gas-powered lanterns and candles.

Items for $25 or less: Any gas or diesel fuel container.

Items selling for $30 or less: Batteries, including rechargeable (listed sizes only)–AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt (excluding automobile and boat batteries), 9-volt (excluding automobile and boat batters); coolers (food storage; non-electrical); ice chests (food storage; non-electrical); first aid kits (first aid kit are always exempt from sales tax, regardless of the sales price);

Items selling for $50 or less: Radios (self-powered or battery-powered); two-way radios (self-powered or battery-powered); weather band radios (self-powered or battery powered); tarpaulins; flexible waterproof sheeting (visqueen); ground anchor systems; tie down kits;

Items selling for $750 or less: Portable generators that will be used to provide light or communications, or to preserve perishable food in the event of a power outage due to a hurricane.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane