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Save $$$ During Florida's Tax-Free Weeks

By Amanda Swank, publisher of Lakeland-Bartow-Mulberry FL MacKID May 2, 2024

Florida residents can save money (who doesn't like to save $$$!) on school supplies, uniforms, clothing, camping gear, kayaks, sports supplies, events, and equipment, concert tickets, museum memberships, plays, gym memberships, batteries, tools, and more this summer.

During specific tax-free weeks in Florida, you will not have to pay the state of Florida sales tax of 6% or any additional county taxes on specific items listed below. These tax-free weeks were passed by the Florida Legislature in 2024.

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays: June 1 – June 14, 2024 and August 24 – September 6, 2024

This year, Florida has two 14-day “disaster preparedness” sales tax holidays from June 1 – 14, 2024, and August 24 – September 6, 2024, for disaster preparedness supplies. Some examples of tax-free items include flashlights and lanterns costing $40 or less; reusable ice costing $20 or less; radios costing $50 or less; tarps and ground anchors or tie-down kits costing $100 or less; coolers and portable power banks costing $60 or less; batteries and fuel tanks costing $50 or less; smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors costing $70 or less; and generators costing $3,000 or less. The holiday also includes many items related to the safe evacuation of household pets.

Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday: July 1 – July 31, 2024

The Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday will remove the sales tax on items families use during the summer, including:

Boating and water activity supplies:

  • Goggles and snorkels ($25 or less)
  • Pool toys ($35 or less)
  • Coolers, Life jackets, Paddles ($75 or less)
  • Inflatable water tubes and floats, Wakeboards ($150 or less)
  • Paddleboards, Surfboards ($300 or less)
  • Canoes, Kayaks ($500 or less)

Fishing Supplies:

  • Bait and Tackle ($5 or less for individual items, $10 or less for multiple items sold together)
  • Tackle boxes ($30 or less)
  • Reels, Rods ($75 or less)

Camping Supplies:

  • Flashlights ($30 or less)
  • Sleeping bags and camping chairs ($50 or less)
  • Tents ($200 or less)

Outdoor Supplies:

  • Sunscreen ($15 or less)
  • Water bottles ($30 or less)
  • Bicycle helmets ($50 or less)
  • Outdoor grills ($250 or less)
  • Bicycles ($500 or less)

Admissions to events or performances scheduled to be held between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024:

  • Live music events
  • Live sporting events
  • Movies to be shown in a movie theater
  • Ballets
  • Plays
  • Fairs
  • Festivals

Admissions purchased for any of the following:

  • Museums, including annual passes
  • State parks, including yearly passes
  • Season tickets for music events and performances


Back to School Tax-Free Weeks: July 29 – August 11, 2024

Florida offers a 14-day “back-to-school” sales tax holiday from July 29 – August 11, 2024, for clothing, footwear, and backpacks costing $100 or less, school supplies costing $50 or less, learning aids costing $30 or less, and personal computers or computer-related accessories, including non-recreational software, costing $1,500 or less.


Skilled Worker Sales Tax Holiday on Tools - September 1-7, 2024

The state also offers a seven-day sales tax holiday from September 1 – 7, 2024, for certain tools used by skilled trade workers. Tax-free items include certain hand tools costing $50 or less, power tools costing $300 or less, work boots costing $175 or less, and many other pieces of safety equipment, as well as certain shop lights, toolboxes and belts, and plumbing and electrical equipment.


Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar so you can take advantage of the savings! 


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