The governor wants people to get out and has announced the Florida Liberty Sales Tax Exemption for 2024.
Floridians will be able to save some money this summer because the state has announced a new Freedom Month sales tax exemption. The Florida Freedom Sales Tax Holiday runs throughout July. During the sales tax holiday, residents can save money on a variety of products, from fishing supplies to outdoor recreation equipment.
Florida Freedom Sales Tax Holiday: What items are tax-exempt?
On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a plan to boost family savings over the summer by starting the Freedom Month sales tax holiday. The governor said he would sign the Florida Liberty Sales Tax Exemption for the 2024-25 fiscal year budget.
“While the federal government is causing high inflation and skyrocketing costs for families, smart fiscal policies in Florida can help reduce taxes and ease the burden on Floridians,” Governor DeSantis said in a press release.
The Florida Freedom Sales Tax Holiday, which runs throughout July (July 1 through July 31), suspends sales of a variety of summer-related products, including fishing supplies, state park and museum tickets, and outdoor recreation equipment.
For a complete list of items that are not subject to sales tax during Florida sales tax holidays, please visit this link.
In addition to the Florida Freedom Sales Tax Holiday, Governor DeSantis waived admission fees to Florida state parks during Memorial Day weekend (May 24 – May 27).
According to the Governor’s Office, the goal of this announcement is to encourage families to enjoy the Sunshine State’s natural beauty without undue financial burden.
“We encourage all Florida residents and visitors to take advantage of these additional savings and discover the unique experiences the real Florida has to offer,” said Secretary of Environmental Protection Shawn Hamilton. There are three state parks, he added. .
Sales Tax Holidays Rise in Popularity
Sales tax exemptions are a relatively new financial tool that provides relief to residents and stimulates the economy. It was first used in Michigan and Ohio in 1980 to promote car sales, and was adopted briefly by New York 17 years later to boost clothing sales.
About 20 states use tax exemptions for one purpose or another. For example, it was used to purchase personal items in Massachusetts, groceries in Tennessee, guns and ammunition in Mississippi, gas-powered chainsaws in Virginia, and for members of the National Guard in Nevada.
However, Florida uses sales tax exemptions for the widest variety of categories, according to data from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). In 2024, Florida may have two back-to-school sales tax holidays, two disaster preparedness sales tax holidays, a Freedom Summer sales tax holiday, and a seven-day tool time sales tax holiday.
