Florida is preparing for the second hurricane-prep tax holiday of the year as Tropical Storm Idalia intensified on Monday.
From Aug. 26 to Sept. 8, Floridians can stock up on storm necessities from batteries to household items (such as hand soap and paper towels) without sales taxes. The tax exemption only applies to certain products that fall under some price limits, as listed by the Florida Department of Revenue.
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As the storm nears western Cuba and heads north, Idalia could make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Sunshine State in the middle of the week. Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said, however, that the storm has the potential to strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
At least three counties have issued partial or full evacuation orders, and warnings are underway in multiple areas, including a mandatory evacuation order for Manatee County.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) urged Florida residents to prepare for the storm and gather supplies as needed by early Monday, as the state will see some effects (including rain and wind) this evening.
Some of the larger items that will be exempt from sales taxes include a portable generator with a sales price of $3,000 or less, a tarpaulin or another kind of waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or below, and a ground anchor system totaling $100 or less. Common household items of $30 or less, such as laundry detergent and toilet paper, are on the list. A number of items related to providing food and supplies to household pets are also included.
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The sales tax holiday is the second of two 14-day tax exemptions signed into law by DeSantis earlier this year as part of the largest tax relief plan in state history. Floridians are expected to save an estimated $144 million through tax-free purchases during the two-week period. The first tax holiday ran from May 27 to June 9.
“This is going to be a major hurricane,” DeSantis said during a Monday morning press conference, urging residents to execute their plans quickly. “This is going to be a powerful hurricane, and this is absolutely going to impact the state of Florida in many, many different ways.”
