Courtesy: Image by kalhh from Pixabay
There is one tax-free week a year that most Floridians are likely aware of that leads into the beginning of the calendar school year known as a back-to-school tax-free week. There is also a lesser-known disaster-prep tax-free week for hurricane season supplies.
And now, Florida is welcoming a third tax-free week thanks to a recently passed proposal that will give Floridians access to tax-free adventure and entertainment-based activities and goods.
Beginning July 1, the newest tax-free week billed “Freedom Week” will allow shoppers to purchase tickets to sporting events, concerts, museums, state parks, fitness memberships, and more tax-free for one week.
House Bill 7061 was passed in the final days of April with a resounding 117-1 ‘YES’ vote and will encourage Floridians to get out in the community and explore nature with the goal to help families return to normal after a financially stressful 2020 year.
The $196.3 million tax package will also create a college internship program that offers tax credits up to $10,000 per year to businesses and an additional $17.5 million fund set aside for taxpayers that clean contaminated brownfields.
“This bill helps citizens directly,” Rep. Joe Geller (D-Aventura) said. “It doesn’t have big payoffs for large companies. It helps the people.”
Freedom Week Tax-Free Limits Breakdown
The following information is from a Florida Senate press release detailing the tax exemptions for the week of July 1-7, 2021. Event tickets and admissions purchases are valid for all events scheduled before Jan. 1, 2022, so long as the tickets are purchased during the tax-free week. For more information, visit the Florida Senate website by clicking here.
Boating and Water Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $75 of the sales price of life jackets and coolers; the first $50 of the sales price of safety flares; the first $150 of the sales price of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, and recreational inflatable water tubes or floats capable of being towed; the first $300 of the sales price of paddleboards and surfboards; the first $500 of the sales price of canoes and kayaks; the first $75 of the sales price of paddles and oars; and the first $25 of the sales price of snorkels, goggles, and swimming masks.
Camping Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $200 of the sales price of tents; the first $50 of the sales price of sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves, and collapsible camping chairs; and the first $30 of the sales price of camping lanterns and flashlights.
Fishing Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $75 of the sales price of rods and reels, if sold individually, or the first $150 of the sales price if sold as a set; the first $30 of the sales price of tackle boxes or bags; and the first $5 of the sale price of bait or fishing tackle, if sold individually, or the first $10 of the sales price if multiple items are sold together.
General Outdoor Supplies: The tax holiday applies to the first $15 of the sales price of sunscreen or insect repellant; the first $100 of the sales price of sunglasses; the first $200 of the sales price of binoculars; the first $30 of the sales price of water bottles; the first $50 of the sales price of hydration packs; the first $250 of the sales price of outdoor gas or charcoal grills; the first $50 of the sales price of bicycle helmets; and the first $250 of the sales price of bicycles.
Sports Equipment: The tax holiday applies to any item used in individual or team sports, not including clothing or footwear, selling for $40 or less.
Other Tax-Exempt Holidays in the state
Freedom Week will be the third tax-free week in Florida and will add to the existing tax-free back-to-school and disaster weeks.
Traditionally, the back-to-school holiday grants shoppers the ability to avoid paying sales taxes on clothing $60 or less, school supplies costing $15 or less, and the first $1,000 on the price of a computer or laptop. This year the tax break will run from July 31-August 9.
The disaster-preparedness week will start this month on May 28 and end on June 6. The 10-day tax-free week will allow shoppers to avoid paying taxes on storm disaster items such as small batteries, water supplies, and portable generators up to $1,000.
The bill also comes into effect after the state took heat for an applicable online sales tax bill moved forward in the Florida House.
July 1 will also mark the beginning of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Emergency Management bill, which will effectively end all local government COVID-19 emergency orders and mandates.
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