Florida Freedom Week Tax Holiday 2021: How long does it last and what will be discounted?
Today marks the beginning of the second tax holiday in Florida this summer. This week residents will be able to purchase event tickets and recreational equipment at discounted rates.
The first tax holiday which lasted from 28 May through 6 June was focused on disaster preparedness for the upcoming hurricane season.
The second, which will allow residents to purchase outdoor recreational equipment and event tickets at a discounted rate will run through 7 July.
The bill to host the 2021 Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday was passed by the Florida legislature in May. The third tax holiday of the summer will occur in August and aims to help parents get their children ready to get back to school.
What will be discounted during the event?
According to the Florida Department of Revenue, “qualifying items, ranging from fishing tackle selling for $5 or less to canoes and kayaks selling for $500 or less, are exempt from sales tax.” Consumers should be aware that the benefits do not apply to “rental or repair of any of the qualifying items or to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.”
In collaboration with businesses, the Department of Revenue has identified a price limit and a set of items within those limits that can be applied. For example, if a canoe costs more than $500, the sales tax will be deducted up to that limit. After the $500 limit has been surpassed, sales tax will be applied to the remaining balance.
Sporting Equipment
The limits for sporting equipment are limited and only apply to “any item used in individual or team sports, not including clothing or footwear,” being sold for $40 or less.
Recreational Equipment
For those looking to buy general outdoor equipment for the summer, the following items form part of the tax holiday,
Sales Tax-Free up to $15
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
Up to $30
- Water bottles
Up to $50
- Bicycle helmets
- Hydration packs
Up to $100
- Sunglasses
Up to $200
- Binoculars
Up to $250
- Bicycles
- Outdoor gas or charcoal grills
Boating and other water-related activities
Bait Fishing tackle sold individually, the "$5 of the sales price" or the first $10, if "multiple items are sold together," are excluded from sales tax.
Sales Tax-Free up to $25
- Goggles
- Snorkels
- Swimming masks
Up to $30
- Bags
- Tackle boxes
Up to $50
- Safety flares
Up to $75
- Coolers
- Oars and Paddles
- Life jackets
Up to $150
- Inflatable recreational water tubes and floats capable of being towed
- Kneeboards
- Wakeboards
- Water skis
Up to $300
- Paddleboards
- Surfboards
Up to $500
- Canoes
- Kayaks
Camping and Backpacking
Sales Tax-Free up to $30
- Camping lanterns
- Flashlights
Up to $50
- Camping stoves
- Collapsible camping chairs
- Portable hammocks
- Sleeping bags
Up to $200
- Tents
Events
The Department of Revenue has stated that “events or performances scheduled to be held from July 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021,” including
- "Live music events
- Live sporting events
- Movies to be shown in a movie theater
- Ballet, Plays, Musicals
- Fair, Festival, and Cultural event
- Private and membership clubs providing physical fitness facilities," can be purchased without sales tax.
What is not included?
For more information on what sort of items and deals are not included, please check out the guidance from the Department of Revenue.