Hurricane season is underway and certain hurricane preparedness items are now permanently tax-free in Florida.
In 2025, Florida lawmakers opted to make some items sales tax-free year-round. During previous seasons, the State of Florida offered a limited-time sales tax holiday that typically lasted around two weeks.
Under the now-permanent exemptions, commonly used emergency supplies – such as batteries, certain generators, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and other essential items – are eligible for tax-free purchase year-round.
The change is designed to give residents more flexibility and remove the pressure of preparing for a hurricane within a limited timeframe.
Other tax-free items include helmets, life jackets, insect repellent and sunscreen.
Some items that were included in previous years are no longer on the exemption list, including flashlights, candles, food coolers and some pet supplies.
There is no limit to how much people can save, and the exemptions are automatically applied at the point of purchase without the need for additional steps.