GOVERNOR SIGNS THREE TAX-FREE HOLIDAYS INTO LAW

GOVERNOR SUPPORTS FLORIDA RETAILERS & CONSUMERS BY SIGNING THREE TAX-FREE HOLIDAYS INTO LAW

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs HB 7061 Into Florida Statue, Creating Three Tax-Free Holidays for Floridians to Stock Up and Save

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 21, 2021

CONTACT: Amanda Bevis

(202) 680-9262

 

Tallahassee, FL – Governor Ron DeSantis today signed HB 7061 approving three tax holidays established this session by the Florida Legislature. The law renews two historic sales tax holidays for Florida consumers to prepare for back-to-school and hurricane season. A new tax holiday "2021 Freedom Week" was also created to enable Floridians to save on summer supplies, activities and events. 

"Thank you to Governor DeSantis for bringing meaningful tax relief to Florida families and driving shoppers to Florida’s retail stores with the signing of HB 7061," said Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. "These tax-free holidays enable Florida families to stock up on supplies for hurricane season, summer fun and back-to-school, and save on taxes. We encourage consumers to shop local during these savings events. Florida’s retail stores stand ready to welcome shoppers with open doors, stocked shelves and extra deals!”

The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will run over ten days, beginning on May 28 through June 6. Floridians will find these hurricane preparation supplies to be tax-free:

• Portable self-powered light source selling for $40 or less;
• Certain portable radios selling for $50 or less;
• Tarps selling for $100 or less;
• Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $100 or less;
• A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $50 or less;
• Packages of certain battery types, selling for $50 or less;
• A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $60 or less;
• Portable generators for use in a power outage selling for $1,000 or less; 
• Reusable ice selling for $20 or less; and
• Portable power banks selling for $60 or less.

Florida's new 2021 Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday will begin July 1 through July 7 to encourage residents to enjoy time outside of the house again. The measure will help support local retail businesses and entertainment and boost Florida's economy. Tax-free items include the following events scheduled from July 1 through December 31, 2021: 

• Live music events;
• Live sporting events;
• Movies at the movie theater;
• Entry to a museum, including any annual passes;
• Entry to a state park, including any annual passes;
• Entry to a ballet, play, or musical theatre performance;
• Season tickets for ballets, plays, music events, or musical theatre performances;
• Entry to a fair, festival, or cultural event; or
• Access or use of private and/or membership clubs providing physical fitness facilities.

The holiday also includes tax-free purchases on Florida-related recreational supplies including boating and water activity, camping, fishing, general outdoor supplies and sports equipment. 

The criteria for tax-free savings on boating and water activities include:

• The first $75 on the price of life jackets and coolers;
• The first $50 on the price of safety flares;
• The first $150 on the price of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and recreational inflatable water tubes;
• The first $300 on the price of paddleboards and surfboards;
• The first $500 on the price of canoes and kayaks;
• The first $75 on the price of paddles and oars; and
• The first $25 on the price of snorkels, goggles, and swimming masks.

Floridians may also enjoy tax-free purchases on the following camping supplies:

• The first $200 on the price of purchase of tents;
• The first $50 on the price of sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves, and collapsible camping chairs; and
• The first $30 on the price of camping lanterns and flashlights.

Florida shoppers more interested in fishing can find savings on:

• The first $75 on the price of individual rods and reels; or
• The first $150 on the price of a set of rods and reels;
• The first $30 on the price of tackle boxes or bags; and
• The first $5 on the price of individual bait or fishing tackle; or  
• The first $10 on the price of multiple bait and tackle items sold together. 

Other recreational savings include tax-free purchases such as: 

• Up to the first $15 on the price of sunscreen or insect repellant;
• The first $100 on a pair of sunglasses;
• The first $200 on a pair of binoculars;
• The first $30 on the price of water bottles;
• The first $50 on the price of hydration packs;
• The first $250 of the sales price of outdoor gas or charcoal grills;
• The first $50 of the sales price of bicycle helmets; and
• The first $250 of the sales price of bicycles.

Floridians can also save on equipment used for individual or team sports purposes. This does not include clothing or footwear selling for $40 or less.

The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled from July 31 through August 9. Florida families will be eligible to purchase clothing and school supplies without paying sales tax. School-related items include: 

• Clothing and shoes, priced $60 or less per item; 
• Backpacks, handbags and wallets, priced $60 or less per item; 
• School supplies, priced $15 or less per item; and
• Personal computers or personal computer-related accessories, up to $1,000 per item will be tax-free.

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