Florida disaster preparedness sales tax holiday: 6 common questions and new items on the list
A two-week sales tax holiday starts Saturday to help Florida residents prepare for the 2022 hurricane season.
The 2022 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs to June 10.
This year's tax holiday includes several new items in the tax-exempt list, including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
Pet food and supplies that meet certain criteria also will be tax-exempt this year, helping pet owners purchase food and needed supplies.
Looking for more hurricane coverage?
► Florida sales tax holiday for hurricane supplies begins Saturday
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Officials are saying an active hurricane season is ahead, which would mark the seventh consecutive year of an above-average hurricane season.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, although the National Hurricane Center begins to issue regular tropical outlooks beginning May 15.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said 14 to 21 named storms will develop this season.
Those numbers include tropical storms, which contain wind speeds of 39 mph or higher. Storms become hurricanes when winds reach 74 mph.
What is the Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday?
Established by the Legislature, the tax holiday was created so residents can purchase hurricane supplies on certain items without paying sales tax.
When is the 2022 sales tax holiday?
The holiday runs from May 28 to June 10.
What items are tax exempt during the sales tax holiday?
Items exempt from sales tax are targeted to those that help residents prepare themselves and their households for a disaster. Eligible items are specific according to price and sometimes, in the case of pet food or cat litter, by weight.
Items included range from reusable ice packs that sell for $20 or less to flashlights and lanterns that cost $40 or less.
Batteries are a big item when it comes to hurricane supplies and all the common battery packs that sell for $50 or less are exempt.
Need a cooler? Non-electric food storage coolers that sell for $60 or less would be tax exempt.
Tarps, bungee cords and rachet straps — costing $100 or less — continue to be on the list of tax-exempt items.
Portable generators that cost less than $1,000 also are on the list.
What new items were added to sales tax holiday list?
Several new items were added to the list of items consumers can purchase during the sales tax holiday, including:
Smoke detectors and smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors. All must cost $70 or less.
► How do you prepare your pets for hurricane season and how do you evacuate with animals?
Also new this year are items for your pet, including cans or pouches of wet food that cost $2 or less per can or pouch, and collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls that sell for $15 or less, some cat litter and bags of dry pet food that weight 15 pounds or less.
Is there a limit on the number of items you can buy?
No.
Are online purchases of eligible items tax free?
Yes, as long as the order is accepted by the company during the sales tax holiday for immediate shipment.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What you need to know about Florida sales tax holiday 2022
