INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Governor Rick Scott announced a 15-day sales tax holiday for hurricane preparedness supplies as of part his 2014-2015 “It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget.”
The proposed sales tax holiday will begin June 1 and run through June 14, and will cover hurricane preparation supplies including flashlights, batteries, weather radios, and other basic essential disaster supply kit items.
“This 15-day sales tax holiday will help Florida families prepare for hurricane season and let them keep more than $20 million. This tax holiday will allow families to better protect and safeguard their homes during a storm,” Gov. Scott said.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
For more information on the Florida Division of Emergency Management visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.
“For the past three years our preparedness message has included budget friendly tips for increasing citizens’ spending power,” Curt Sommerhoff, Emergency Management Director of the Miami Emergency Operation Center said. “That, now coupled with the Governor’s Tax Free initiative gives people a tremendous incentive for preparing that disaster kit that is an absolute necessity during hurricane season, and really all year long.”
The specific items included in the Sales Tax Holiday include:
- Portable self-powered light source selling for $20 or less
- Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather band radio selling for $50 or less
- Tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less
- Self-contained first-aid kit selling for $30 or less
- Ground anchor system or tie-down kit selling for $50 or less
- Gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less
- Package of AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less
- Non-electric food storage cooler selling for $30 or less
- Portable generator that is used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage selling for $750 or less