Year-round hurricane supply kit tax exempt status begins today

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida’s new state budget goes in to effect today, but the new budget does not include a sales tax holiday for hurricane supply kit items.

Instead, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed in to law a new, permanent, year-round tax exempt rule for many items that families would include in hurricane supply kits.

According to Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, many residents did not include batteries and cell phone power banks in their supply kits last year, causing big problems for some after storms passed.

“One of the things that we noticed is the lack of communication by many of the homeowners, because they ran out of batteries in their cell phones.,” said Rebuilding Together Greater Florida CEO Jose Garcia.  “And this year we are going to include the additional external batteries so they can charge it and ready to use it in case they run out of batteries because there is now power in their house.”

Rebuilding Together is currently helping hundreds of homeowners with financial and work assistance that are still making repairs to their homes after Helene and Milton last year.

At the same time, RTTB is working to stockpile supply kit items, that would be distributed to impacted area’s after any potential storms later this year.

It says batteries, flashlights and a way to charge your cell phone for at least two days is crucial if you choose to ride a storm out.

Millions lost power during hurricanes last fall, and it took 2-3 days for relief sites to be setup for residents to visit.

Florida has now declared the following items tax-exempt year round in order for Floridians to prepare for an incoming storm or other disaster:

AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries

Smoke detection devices

Carbon monoxide alarms

Fire extinguishers

Portable generators

Waterproof tarps and other flexible waterproof sheeting (1,000 square feet or less)

Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits

Portable gas or diesel fuel cans (5 gallons or less)

Life jackets

Bicycle helmets

Sunscreen