Florida Tax-Free Hurricane Supplies: What's Exempt Year-Round

What changed

Florida used to hold short disaster-preparedness sales tax holidays. Starting August 1, 2025, Florida made the exemption for these items permanent and year-round. The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) announced it in Tax Information Publication TIP 25A01-05 (opens in a new tab), citing Section 46, Chapter 2025-208, Laws of Florida.

Items that are always exempt

Here's the list exactly as DOR states it. These exemptions don't have price caps. The limits are on size or capacity:

• Batteries, only these sizes: AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt and 9-volt
• Bicycle helmets, all of them (before August 1, 2025, only youth helmets were exempt)
• Carbon monoxide alarms that meet Florida Building Commission requirements (s. 553.885, F.S.)
• Fire extinguishers, portable and manually operated, listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (s. 633.102, F.S.)
• Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
• Insect repellent registered by the U.S. EPA and meant for use on skin
• Life jackets, U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices
• Portable gas or diesel fuel cans with a capacity of 5 gallons or less
• Portable propane tanks with a capacity of 20 pounds or less (added July 1, 2026, per TIP 26A01-05 (opens in a new tab))
• Portable generators capable of producing 10,000 running watts or less
• Smoke detection devices listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (s. 83.51, F.S.)
• Sunscreen (not cosmetics or products not mainly meant to block UV rays)
• Waterproof tarpaulins, flexible waterproof tarps and sheeting of 1,000 square feet or less

Impact windows and doors: a refund, not a checkout discount

Florida has a separate, temporary break for impact-resistant windows, doors and garage doors bought from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. You can't claim it at the register. You pay the tax, then the owner applies for a refund. Per DOR, it's only for a homesteaded, site-built home with a just value of $700,000 or less (not mobile or manufactured homes). The refund is limited to one property and $500, and claims are due by September 30, 2029. Details: TIP 26A01-09 (opens in a new tab).

Tips before you shop

• Buy early. The exemption applies all year, and shelves empty fast once a storm is forecast.
• Check your receipt. If tax was charged on an exempt item, ask the store to correct it.
• Not sure if an item qualifies? Call Florida DOR Taxpayer Services at 850-488-6800 (Monday to Friday) or visit floridarevenue.com (opens in a new tab).