Operation Stormwatch Sarasota

Operation Stormwatch Sarasota

Updated hurricane preparedness and emergency information for Sarasota BradentonFull Bio

 

2020 Hurricane Tax Holiday Underway

Starting Friday, shoppers in Florida emerging from coronavirus stay-at-home orders can avoid paying sales taxes while putting together disaster-preparation stockpiles for the 2020 hurricane season.

Florida lawmakers included the disaster-preparation tax holiday in a 47.7-million-dollar tax package approved in March.

During the period lasting through June 4th, shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on items such as reusable ice packs, flashlights, fuel containers, coolers, batteries, radios and tarps.

The biggest-ticket items included in the holiday are portable generators that cost 750 dollars or less.

In addition to helping consumers, Florida Retail Federation CEO Scott Shalley hopes the seven-day tax holiday can provide a boost for businesses suffering from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

“You're going to see, again, additional incentives from the retailers to encourage sales for disaster preparation. You'll continue to see, of course, all of the safe and smart shopping measures in terms of social distancing and sanitizing.”

Federal officials have expressed concern about people being prepared for disasters this year.

Hurricane season will start Monday and continue through November 30th.

Photo credit: Getty images


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