sales tax

Florida’s 2023 Sales Tax Holidays: Hurricane Prep, Summer Fun, + MORE

By

You’ve got even MORE ways to save in 2023 — Florida’s popular sales tax holidays like the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday and the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday are returning with not just one but TWO chances to take advantage of the sales tax exemptions throughout the next year.

Also–Freedom Week is now Freedom Summer, which means you’ll get a sales tax break on qualifying purchases of outdoor and recreation items for three months, including event and movie tickets.

It’s also important to note that there are NEW permanent sales tax exemptions. Sales tax breaks on Baby and Toddler items like clothing, shoes, diapers, and wipes are now permanent as are exemptions on the purchase of cribs and strollers. Other permanent sales tax exemptions include tax breaks on hygiene products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash.

Here are the 2023 Florida sales tax holidays according to the Florida Department of Revenue:

  • Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: May 27 – June 9 and August 26 – September 8, 2023
  • Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday: May 29 – September 4, 2023
  • Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: July 24 – August 6, 2023 and January 1 – 14, 2024
  • Tool Time: September 2 – 8, 2023
  • Energy Star Appliances: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
  • Home Hardening: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024

What you need to know about Florida’s Sales Tax Holidays and Exemptions 

Here are a few sales tax breaks Florida families will want to pay close attention to:

Baby & Toddler Clothing and Diapers Sales Tax Exemption: Permanent 

Raising a baby and toddler can get expensive, especially when it comes to diapers and clothing since they grow so quickly (like practically overnight, right??). The Florida sales tax exemption on these items intended for kids ages 5 and younger will no doubt save hard-earned dollars for Florida families. The diaper sales tax exemption includes single-use diapers, reusable diapers, and reusable diaper inserts. Read more about the Baby & Toddler Clothing and Diaper Sales Tax Exemption here.

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays: May 27 – June 9, 2023 and August 26 – September 8, 2023

The two 14-day Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays will give you a break on sales tax on some supplies like flashlights and lanterns that are $40 or less, non-electric food coolers and portable power banks selling for $60 or less, tarps less than $100 and batteries that are $50 or less. Portable generators that are $3,000 or less also qualify for the sales tax break during the holiday.

Sales tax exemptions on the first $70 of smoke detectors and alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Some items needed for household pets like will also be exempt, like leashes and collars that are $20 or less and pet beds that are $40 or less.

You can see a complete list of what qualifies for the 2023 disaster prep sales tax holiday here on the Florida Department of Revenue’s site. 

Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday: May 29 – September 4, 2023

Next on the sales tax-relief pipeline is the Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday which got a hefty extension, going from one week last year to a few months this year, running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You’ll get a sales tax break on purchases of admission to music events, sporting events, cultural events, state park annual passes, and fitness facilities for use in 2023. You’ll also get a break on certain outdoor-related supplies including: 

  • Children’s Athletic Equipment: $100 or less on products designed for children 12 years and younger to participate in athletic activity.
  • Pool Activities: Sales tax exemption on the first $35 of recreational pool tubes, pool floats, inflatable chairs, and pool toys.
  • Residential pool supplies: Sales tax break on the first $100 of pool parts, nets, filters, and lights. And, break on the first $150 of the combined sales price of pool and spa chemicals purchased by an individual.
  • Camping Supplies: First $200 of a tent and first $50 of sleeping bags, hammocks, camping stoves and camping chairs
  • Fishing Supplies:  First $75 of fishing rods and reels, first $30 of a tackle box, and first $5 on bait and tackle. 
  • Boating and Water Safety Supplies: First $75 of life jackets and coolers; first $50 for safety flares; first $150 of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and inflatable/towable water tubes or floats; first $300 of paddle boards and surfboards; first $500 of canoes and kayaks; first $25 of snorkels, goggles and swimming masks. 
  • You can read Florida’s Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday FAQs here.

Related:

Tool Time Sales Tax Holiday: September 2 – September 8, 2023

Need new tools? There’s a sales tax holiday for that! The ‘Tool Time’ sales tax holiday is a temporary break for purchases of tools commonly used by skilled trade workers like work gives, hand tools, safety glasses, and power tools. Since there is a long list, here is a link to the Tool Time Sales Tax Holiday FAQ page to see what qualifies by price point.

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: July 24 – August 6, 2023 and January 1 – 14, 2024

Another big change this year–you’re not just getting one, but TWO Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays at 14 days each! The first will be held July 24 – August 6, 2023 to be followed by a mid-school year tax break from January 1 – 14, 2024.  Just like in previous years, you’ll get a sales tax break on clothing items, backpacks, and footwear that are $100 or less, school supplies $50 or less, and the first $1,500 of personal computers and personal computer-related items.  See what else qualifies for the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays here.

More Florida Sales Tax Holidays for Home Improvement:

If you’re in the market to make improvements to your home, this is a good time to consider buying new hurricane windows and doors and even upgrading to Energy Star appliances.

 

Home Hardening Sales Tax Exemption: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024

Need new windows, doors, or garage door? This temporary sales tax exemption will provide some relief for you since it’s a big investment, but it only applies to impact-resistant garage doors, impact-resistant windows, and impact-resistant doors.

This is something you’d want anyway as you make improvements to your home since we’re in Florida and hurricanes do happen.  You can read the Home Hardening Sales Tax Exemption FAQs here.

Energy Star Appliances: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

If you need a new washing machine or refrigerator for the house, this is a good time to buy. Energy Star appliances earn the designation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency if they meet or exceed their Energy Star program requirements–which means they consume less energy and are better for your pocketbook and the environment.

Keep in mind, that this sales tax exemption is only for non-commercial use and on new appliances only. Here is what’s eligible:

  • Clothes dryers selling for $1,500 or less
  • Washing machines selling for $1,500 or less
  • Refrigerators or Combination refrigerators/freezers selling for $3,000 or less
  • Water heaters selling for $1,500 or less

Read the Energy Star Appliances Exemption FAQs here.