Ready to save some money? 2 Florida sales tax holidays coming up and they'll even overlap

The sales tax holiday to save on school supplies ended Sunday now that most Florida schools started the 2024-2025 school year Monday, Aug. 12.

But there are two more tax holidays coming soon to help you save and they'll even overlap:

• Disaster preparedness
• Tool time

Whether you're refreshing your hurricane supplies or getting an early start on your Christmas shopping, here's what you can buy in Florida tax free during certain times in August and September.

➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

Florida tax holidays, highlights: What you need to know in seconds

• Two Florida sales tax holidays are coming in August and early September.
• Save on hurricane supplies Aug. 24-Sept. 6.
• Save on tools Sept. 1-7.
• There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased tax exempt.
• Items purchased online, by mail order or catalog are exempt when the order is accepted by the company during the sales tax holiday for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the tax holiday.

Hurricane supplies to be tax free in Florida just in time for busiest months of hurricane season

The second and final two-week period to save on hurricane supplies starts Aug. 24 and runs through Sept. 6.

With the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season not only expected to busy — some predict more than double the average of 14 named storms — but also to last well into November, now it the time to purchase supplies. Once a storm approaches, a run on stores begins and shelves are stripped bare of essentials.

➤ Tropics watch, Aug. 12: Tropical Storm Ernesto expected to develop soon

The peak of hurricane season historically runs from mid-August to mid-October. Forecasters are saying the combination of record warm water temperatures and La Niña could mean storms could develop in November.

What hurricane supplies will be tax free in Florida?

• A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less.
• A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less.
• An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kitwith a sales price of $100 or less.
• A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less.
• A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less.
• A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less.
• A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less.
• A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less.
• A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less.
• A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather-band radio with a sales price of$50 or less.
• A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobileand boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less.
• A portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) with asales price of $40 or less.
• Flashlights
• Reusable ice (ice packs) with a sales price of $20 or less.
• Lanterns
• Candles

➤ Do you need a generator? With active hurricane season ahead, do you need a generator in Florida? Here's how to decide

➤ How to prepare for hurricane season: On a budget? Here are 5 cheap ways to prepare your home for Florida's hurricane season

Pet supplies needed for evacuation also tax free

Supplies necessary for the evacuation of household pets. For this exemption, necessary supplies means the noncommercial purchase of:

• Bags of dry cat or dog food weighing 50 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $100 or less per bag.
• Portable kennels or pet carriers with a sales price of $100 or less per item.
• Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less.
• Pet beds with a sales price of $40 or less per item.
• Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $25 or less per item.
• Leashes, collars, and muzzles with a sales price of $20 or less per item.
• Pet pads with a sales price of $20 or less per box or package.
• Manual can openers with a sales price of $15 or less per item.
• Collapsible or travel-sized food bowls or water bowls with a sales price of $15 or less per item.
• Cat litter pans with a sales price of $15 or less per item.
• Pet waste disposal bags with a sales price of $15 or less per package.
• Hamster or rabbit substrate with a sales price of $15 or less per package.
• Cans or pouches of wet dog food or cat food with a sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case.

Additional sources to help you prepare for a hurricane  

• AccuWeather: What do I need in my emergency food kit?
• National Hurricane Center: National Hurricane Preparedness
• Florida Disaster.org checklist
• FEMA basic disaster supplies kit
• Red Cross kit

When is the tool time Florida sales tax holiday?

Florida's tool time sales tax holiday will take place Sept. 1-7, overlapping the state's tax holiday for disaster preparedness.

What items can be purchased tax free during Florida's tool time tax holiday?

Items covered in the tool time tax holiday include:

• $25 or less per pair:
  • Work gloves
• $30 or less per item:
  • High-visibility safety vests
• $50 or less per item:
  • Duffle bags
  • Fuel cans
  • Hand tools
  • LED flashlights
  • Protective coveralls
  • Rakes
  • Shovels
  • Tote bags

• 50 or less per pair (or the equivalent if sold in sets of more than one pair):
  • Safety glasses
• $75 or less per item:
  • Toolboxes
  • Hearing protection

• $100 or less per item:
  • Electrical voltage and testing equipment
  • Hard hats and other head protection
  • Shop lights
  • Tool belts
• $125 or less per item:
  • Industry code books
  • Industry textbooks
• $150 or less per item:
  • Drain opening tools
  • Handheld pipe cutters
  • Plumbing inspection equipment
  • Power tool batteries
• $175 or less per pair:
  • Work boots
• $250 or less per item:
  • Ladders
• $300 or less per item:
  • Power tools
  • Toolboxes for vehicles