The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) encourages Florida residents to purchase disaster preparedness items during Florida’s second 14-day sales tax-free disaster preparedness day, August 24 through September 6.

“The final sales tax disaster exemption for this year’s hurricane season couldn’t come at a better time, as we are currently at the historic peak of hurricane activity,” said Kevin Guthrie, executive director of FDEM. “Now is the time to prepare, and thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership and the support of our legislature, this tax exemption will help Floridians purchase essential items like pet supplies and energy sources tax-free.”

The items affected by the VAT exemption this year include:

• Pet leashes, collars and muzzles valued at $20 or less;
• Flashlights, lanterns and pet beds valued at $40 or less;
• Batteries and weather radios cost $50 or less;
• Coolers that cost $60 or less;
• Smoke detectors that cost $70 or less;
• Plans that cost $100 or less; and
• Generators that cost $3,000 or less.

“All Floridians should be prepared for natural disasters,” said Jim Zingale, executive director of the Florida Department of Revenue. “This hurricane season is expected to be unusually strong. This sales tax-free period will help consumers save money as they stock up on emergency supplies.”

Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 7073 to provide families with much-needed financial assistance to prepare for hurricane season, in addition to several other tax exemptions. This is the last sales tax-exempt disaster season for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Residents can purchase essential disaster preparedness items such as pet supplies, tarps, batteries, generators and flashlights, all of which are included in the list of eligible, tax-exempt items.

A complete list of tax-free items can be found here HereThe 2024 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30. For a complete disaster supplies checklist, Floridians can find Here.