RESIDENTS in a U.S. state are getting showered with some key tax breaks.
Following approval of the state budget, citizens will see sales tax on certain goods get permanently slashed.
A new tax cut for fishing supplies is on the horizon.[/caption]
Florida previously cut taxes, on a temporary basis, each year as part of the “disaster relief” and “freedom summer” tax cuts.
This allowed the state to cut sales taxes on certain items related to hurricane preparation and outdoor activities.
They weren’t approved this year, so the state decided to make sales tax cuts permanent on some of these goods.
This means, Florida will cut sales tax year-round on the following items, beginning Friday.
- AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries
- Smoke detection devices
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Portable generators
- Waterproof tarps and other flexible waterproof sheeting (1,000 square feet or less)
- Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
- Portable gas or diesel fuel cans (5 gallons or less)
- Life jackets
- Bicycle helmets
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
But there’s more.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TAX CUTS
Beginning Friday, Florida will cut sales taxes on various back-to-school items within certain price ranges throughout August.
This includes clothing, footwear and backpacks of $100 or less.
It also applies to pens, pencils, notebooks, binders and lunch boxes of $50 or less.
And the tax exemption also extends to personal computers and related accessories of $1,500 or less.
HAPPY HUNTING
In addition, the state budget allows for a “Hunting, Fishing and Camping” sales tax holiday.
These sales tax cuts will be in effect from September 8 to December. 31.
It applies to firearms, ammunition, gun cleaning kits and more. But the tax cut will apply to certain items up to a certain price range.
For example, sales tax is removed for sleeping bags and portable hammocks, camping stoves and collapsible camping chairs of $50 or less.
And sales tax is removed for tents selling for $200 or less.
Nicknamed the “Second Amendment” sales tax holiday, the governor says it would save Floridians an estimated $44.8 million.
“By cutting taxes, empowering parents, and growing our economy, we’re making it easier for people to live, work, and thrive in the Free State of Florida,” Governor Ron DeSantis said in a statement.
Back-to-School Sales Tax Cuts
The following would be exempt from sales tax under the new law.
- Glue and paste ($50 or less)
- Scissors ($50 or less)
- Cellophane tape ($50 or less)
- Rulers ($50 or less)
- Computer disks ($50 or less)
- Staplers and staples ($50 or less)
- Protractors and compasses ($50 or less)
- Flashcards and other learning cards ($30 or less)
In addition, the budget exempts state sales tax for 175 state parks.
And it offers a complete exemption from sales tax on the sale of gold, silver and platinum bullion.
The governor said the Sunshine State has the lowest per-capita tax burdens in the nation.
The fiscal Year 2025–26 budget includes $2 billion in tax relief.
The latest budget went into effect July 1.
