Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Begins June 1

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season begins this Saturday, and to help Floridians prepare, Florida’s first-ever disaster preparedness sales tax exemption will also begin.

According to the Florida Department of Revenue, consumers can stock up on supplies and not pay sales tax. If you miss the first tax holiday, the second will begin on Saturday, August 24 and will extend until Friday, September 6.

Michael Lowry, Local 10’s hurricane specialist and storm surge expert, discussed predictions for the 2024 hurricane season from the NOAA team of scientists.

The team predicted an 85% chance of an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2024, with 17 to 25 named storms and 8 to 13 hurricanes, of which 4 to 7 will become Category 3 hurricanes. , 4 or 5. The 30-year seasonal averages (1991-2020) are 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 Category 3 or stronger hurricanes.

There are several items included on this year’s tax-exempt list along with flashlights, generators, batteries, pet food and various household products.

Below is a list of all qualified items:

Selling for $20 or less

•Reusable ice (reusable ice bags)

Selling for $40 or less

• Candles

• Flashlights

• Flashlights

Selling for $50 or less

• Self-powered portable radios, two-way radios or weather band radios

• Gasoline or diesel fuel tanks

• Batteries, including rechargeable ones, only of the sizes indicated: ○ AA cells, AAA cells, C cells, D cells, 6 volts, 9 volts

Selling for $60 or less

• Non-electric refrigerators for food storage

• Portable power banks

Selling for $70 or less

•Smoke detectors or smoke alarms.

• Fire extinguishers

• Carbon monoxide detectors

Selling for $100 or less

• Tarps or other flexible waterproof sheets

• Ground anchoring systems

• Ratchet straps

• Mooring kits

• Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths and other flexible waterproof sheets

Selling for $3,000 or less

• Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in the event of a power outage.

For more information on qualified items, including pet supplies during a storm, call the Florida Department of Revenue at 850-488-6800. For more information click on this link.