Retailers say hurricane prep items should be bought locally.
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So far, hurricane season has been relatively low-key, with only Tropical Storm Bertha brushing Florida’s Gulf Coast in July.
But with the so-called “mean season” getting into its most active months, the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) is advising residents to still get prepared for any possible storms and purchase tax-free supplies. FRF officials are urging Floridians to take advantage of tax exemptions for purchasing disaster preparedness supplies.
“We are in the middle of hurricane season, and now is the time to check your supply kit,” said Scott Shalley, President and CEO of the FRF. “Florida retailers are ready to help customers prepare now — and save — instead of scrambling when a storm is on the way. Stay prepared and shop today.”
The tax exemption for storm supplies in Florida lasts all year. And the FRF encourages residents to buy local through the “Find It in Florida” campaign that directs Floridians to local retailers in the state.
“When you ‘Find It in Florida,’ you’re supporting local businesses and local jobs,” the FRF campaign states.
There’s a long list of merchandise that can be bought without paying sales taxes, including batteries, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, ground anchor systems and tie-down kits, insect repellent, life jackets, portable gasoline cans under a 5-gallon capacity, portable generators, smoke detectors, sunscreen and several other items. FRF has established a complete list of those items.
FRF officials want Floridians to take advantage of the tax-free merchandise now because the period spanning August through October is traditionally the most active for hurricanes. The hurricane season officially runs through Nov. 30, and there have been plenty of late-season storms that have hit the state.
The FRF is a trade association for retailers. The organization points out that those retailers contribute about $357 billion to the annual state economy and account for hiring 4 million workers. Retailers also account for pumping $64 billion in sales taxes for the state government each year, outside of tax-free sales, of course.
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