JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season began Saturday, and to help Floridians prepare, the first Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday also kicked off.
Forecasters are predicting a busy hurricane season and for that reason, state officials advise people to prepare early.
With the sales tax holiday, Floridians can stock up on hurricane supplies and not have to pay sales tax, ensuring some much-needed savings.
Ricky Jones is a manager at Academy Sports on Atlantic Boulevard and is prepared for the influx of people who will be shopping for hurricane supplies.
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“We carry pretty much everything you need, so we kind of life a one-stop shopping for you,” Jones said. “The very last thing you want to do is the day before a hurricane rolls through, you don’t want to be out going to 3 or 4 different stores looking for something.”
Eligible items include: reusable ice, lanterns, flashlights, portable self-powered radios, two-way radios or weather-band radios, gas or diesel fuel tanks, batteries of multiple sizes (including rechargeable), nonelectric food storage coolers, smoke detectors or smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, tarps, waterproof sheeting, etc.
You can also save on items for your pets: portable pet kennels or pet carriers, dry dog or cat food weighing 50 or fewer pounds, over-the-counter pet medications $100 or less., etc. Be advised, there is a maximum price for all items to be eligible.
Generators selling for $3,000 or less also qualify for the sales tax exemption.
Jones said people purchased the store’s generators, but more are on the way and will be available in store soon. When a storm hits, they can make all the difference for your family and loved ones.
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“If you have small children, elderly, pets, the last thing you want is one of those to be without power and put the stress on them,” Jones said. “It’s stressful enough when the storm comes through, but to be without power, without AC, without being able to keep safe and stuff like that, it’s very important.”
Having worked at the Academy Sports location for nearly a decade, Jones advised people not to wait to do their shopping. He’s seen the mad dash.
“The closer the hurricane gets, there are those people that procrastinate,” Jones said. “Wait until the last minute and that’s the last thing you want to be a part of.”
This tax-free holiday lasts through June 14. A second exemption period will begin on Saturday, Aug. 24, and extend through Friday, Sept. 6.
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