Rick Patrick rick@greenepublishing.com
During the week of Friday, July 1, through Thursday, July 7, Floridians will have the opportunity to enjoy many leisure activities and pay no sales tax. Called the “Florida Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday,” the week offers people the chance to purchase admissions to music events, sporting events, cultural events, state park annual passes, fitness facilities and certain outdoor-related supplies without paying sales tax.
Some of the items that will be exempt from sales tax during the week include: live music and sporting events, movies, museum and state park entry (including annual passes); ballets, plays and musical theatre performances (including season tickets), fairs, festivals, cultural events and private and membership clubs providing physical fitness facilities. Also included in the list of exempt items are: the first $25 of the sales price of snorkels, goggles and swimming masks. The first $35 of the sales price of recreational pool tubes, pool floats, inflatable chairs and pool toys are included.
Many boating supplies are on the list, such as: the first $50 of the sales price of safety flares, the first $75 of the sales price of life jackets, coolers, paddles and oars; the first $150 of the sales price of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards and recreational inflatable water tubes or floats capable of being towed behind a boat; the first $300 of the sales price of paddleboards and surfboards; the first $500 of the sales price of canoes and kayaks.
Certain camping supplies are included: the first $30 of the sales price of camping lanterns and flashlights; the first $50 of the sales price of sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves and collapsible camping chairs; the first $200 of the sales price of tents.
Fishing supplies include: the first $30 of the sales price of tackle boxes or bags; the first $10 of the sales price of bait or fishing tackle (if multiple items are sold together); the first $5 of the sales price of bait or fishing tackle (if sold separately).
There are many general outdoor supplies included as well: the first $15 of the sales price of sunscreen and insect repellent; the first $30 of the sales price of water bottles; the first $50 of the price of bicycle helmets; the first $75 of the sales price of rods and reels (if sold individually); the first $100 of the sales price of sunglasses; the first $150 of the sales price of rods and reels (if sold as a set); the first $200 of the sales price of sunglasses; the first $250 of the sales price of outdoor gas or charcoal grills and bicycles.
Any item used in individual or team sports, not including clothing or footwear, selling for $40 or less per item is included.
A new addition to the list this year is residential pool supplies. This includes the first $100 of the sales price of individual residential pool and spa replacement parts, nets, filters, lights and covers. It also includes the first $150 of the combined sales price of all residential pool and spa chemicals purchased by an individual.
The sales tax holiday does not apply to rentals of any eligible items or the sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.
More information about this and other Sales Tax Holidays, please visit: https://floridarevenue.com.