TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislative Session was marked by grueling battles over abortion, transgender issues and other topics from the nation’s “cultural wars.”
But one major piece of legislation received praise from both parties and unanimous votes: a series of temporary tax breaks the country is popularizing as its largest so far.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the tax package into law on Friday, advertising tax breaks for the first time for all types of basic and leisure goods. The state sales tax is 6 percent, but many items are also exempt from county sales taxes.
“You will see interruptions for really critical needs, such as gas, diapers, disaster supplies, tools for skilled crafts, leisure activities, and so on,” DeSantis said on Friday. “Families will be able to save for things that really matter to them.”
Related: Local Girl Scouts Can Give Thanks as Florida Considers Pet Supplies for Tax Vacation
Here are the main reliefs and tax exemptions that lawmakers have adopted this year, in the order in which they come into force. For more details, visit the Florida Department of Revenue website.
1. Children’s books: May 14 – August 14, 2022
For three months, children’s books, regardless of price, will be exempt from sales tax. “Children’s books” are defined as “any fiction or non-fiction book intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger”.
2. Disaster preparedness supplies: 28 May – 10 June 2022
The state’s two-week disaster preparedness tax holiday continues this year, with a number of items exempt from state and county sales taxes, including:
- Flashlights and lanterns worth $ 40 or less
- Battery pack worth $ 50 or less
- Coolers worth $ 60 or less
- Portable generators worth $ 1000 or less
- Various consumables for pets
The Ministry of Revenue has a complete list of items.
3. “Freedom Week” for sales tax: 1 July – 7 July 2022
For one week, tickets for live sports and music events, movies, museums, state parks and festivals will be tax-free. Thus, there will be a variety of external consumables, including:
- The first $ 250 of the sale price of bicycles and outdoor grills
- Various fishing supplies, including reels and rods
- The first $ 200 spent on tents
- The first $ 150 spent on chemicals for residential pools and spas
The state has a complete list on its website.
4. Baby diapers, clothes and shoes: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
An idea proposed by Democrats in the legislature for years, Republicans this year agreed to a one-year tax exemption on the sale of baby diapers. Another exception is clothing, clothing and footwear for babies and young children, intended primarily for children aged 5 and under, exempt from taxes during the same period.
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5. Shockproof windows, doors and garage doors: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024
For two years, these items will be exempt from sales tax for both commercial and non-commercial use.
6. Energy Star devices: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
The following Energy Star items are exempt from sales tax if purchased for non-commercial use:
- Clothes dryers sold for $ 1,500 or less
- Refrigerators or combo refrigerators / freezers sell for $ 3,000 or less
- Washing machines sell for $ 1,500 or less
- Water heaters sell for $ 1,500 or less
7. Sales tax return for return to school: 25 July – 7 August 2022
Lawmakers renewed the annual holiday for sales tax on school supplies this year, with the following elements released:
- Clothes, shoes and some accessories with a retail price of $ 100 or less per item
- Some school supplies cost $ 50 or less per item
- Teaching aids and puzzles for sale $ 30 or less
- Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories with a retail price of $ 1,500 or less when purchased for non-commercial home or personal use
More details can be found on the state’s website.
8. Leave for tax on sales of instruments for a skilled worker: September 3 – September 9, 2022.
This tax holiday is applied for the first time to the purchase of various tools and consumables, including:
- Tool boxes worth $ 75 or less
- Work boots sell for $ 175 or less per pair
- Power tools sell for $ 300 or less per item
The full list of eligible items is on the state’s website.
9. Suspension of the gas tax: October 1 – October 31, 2022
To alleviate record high gas prices, lawmakers this year agreed to suspend the collection of state gas tax for a month (especially the month before the November election, when DeSantis and every legislature are due).
Stopping the collection of the gas tax means that drivers will save about $ 0.25 per gallon, or a total of about $ 1 billion. State lawmakers are plugging this hole with federal dollars to stimulate coronavirus set by Congress.
Related: Florida lawmakers agree to suspend gas tax in October
10. Grand Prix tickets, property tax exemption for widows, etc.
The tax package, House Bill 7071, includes many other tax exemptions, including:
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