Recreational things like tents, sunglasses and concerts are sales-tax free July 1 through July 7, with longer sales-tax breaks for some home appliances and windows.<\/p>\n
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 Floridians facing economic pressure from inflation get a second crack to save on \u201cfreedom\u201d starting Friday.<\/p>\n
Wrapped around the Fourth of July for the second consecutive year, a sales-tax \u201choliday\u201d dubbed \u201cFreedom Week\u201d will provide tax breaks on a wide range of recreational activities and outdoor gear.<\/p>\n
In addition to freedom week, other tax breaks will take effect Friday. For the next year, sales taxes will be lifted on children\u2019s diapers and Energy Star washing machines, clothes dryers, water heaters and refrigerators.<\/p>\n
Also starting Friday, a two-year tax break will start on impact-resistant windows, doors and garage doors.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers included freedom week in an annual tax package (HB 7071) that also offers other tax holidays and sales-tax exemptions. The state has already held a disaster-preparedness tax holiday around the June 1 start of hurricane season and will hold a back-to-school tax holiday later in the summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the pressures of inflation and the concerns that are out there, we want to see people continue to support our local retailers,\u201d says Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, which has long lobbied for tax holidays.<\/p>\n
Before signing the tax package May 6 at a Sam\u2019s Club in Ocala, Gov. Ron DeSantis pointed to the impacts of inflation and described freedom week as a way that \u201cfamilies can afford a fun summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not everyone is so enamored with tax holidays. The Washington, D.C.-based Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation questions the economic benefits of tax holidays, pointing to studies showing consumers shift the timing of purchases, and that in some cases retailers have raised prices during the discount periods.<\/p>\n
\u201cStates are sitting on surpluses at the same time many taxpayers are struggling under the burden of high inflation,\u201d Jared Walczak, the foundation\u2019s vice president of state projects, told The New York Times this month. \u201cState tax holidays tend to be political gimmicks.\u201d<\/p>\n
During freedom week, which will last through July 7, people will get sales-tax breaks on such things as tickets for concerts, movies, ballgames and museum visits, as well as on supplies and gear for outdoor activities ranging from fishing rods and bicycle helmets to grills and kayaks.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers approved the first freedom week in 2021, in part to entice people who were holding back on going out because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
State economists and the Florida Retail Federation anticipate more people will take advantage of the holiday this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our retailers are running their own promotional deals to try to get folks out,\u201d Shalley said. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to save money on fun stuff. We\u2019re usually talking about disaster preparedness and back-to-school. But in this case, with freedom week, we\u2019re talking about outdoor activities, recreational products, fishing gear and a wide range of things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, the Legislature\u2019s Office of Economic & Demographic Research estimated freedom week would cut state revenue by $42 million and local revenue by $12.7 million.<\/p>\n
This year, the projections are a $54.5 million reduction in state revenue and a $16.1 million reduction in local revenue.<\/p>\n
Here are some of the purchases exempt from sales taxes during Freedom Week:<\/p>\n
Tickets purchased for live music, live sports, plays, movies, fairs and festivals, for events through Dec. 31.
\nEntry to museums and state parks, including annual passes.
\nThe first $5 on the price of fishing bait and tackle.
\nThe first $15 on the price of sunscreen and insect repellant.
\nThe first $25 on the price of swimming snorkels, goggles and masks.
\nThe first $30 on the price of fishing tackle boxes, water bottles, camping lanterns and flashlights.
\nThe first $35 on the price of recreational pool tubes, pool floats, inflatable chairs and pool toys.
\nThe first $50 on the price of sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves, collapsible camping chairs and bicycle helmets.
\nThe first $75 on the price of life jackets, coolers, paddles, oars, fishing rods and reels.
\nThe first $100 of the price of sunglasses.
\nThe first $150 on the price of water skis, wakeboards and kneeboards.
\nThe first $200 on the price of tents and binoculars.
\nThe first $250 on the price of bicycles and grills.
\nThe first $300 on the price of paddle boards and surfboards.
\nThe first $500 on the price of canoes and kayaks.
\nSource: The News Service of Florida<\/p>\n
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