If you live in Florida and plan to shop for outdoor recreational activities and supplies, now is the time to do so.
Florida Freedom Month started yesterday, allowing shoppers to avoid paying sales tax on certain items. This sales tax holiday will run throughout July.
Florida Freedom Month: What is it?
Florida Freedom Month is part of the package (HB 7073) that the state Legislature approved in March and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law in May. The objective of the Florida Freedom Month
holiday is to encourage people to get outdoors.
“No tax on recreational items. No tax on things, fishing supplies, boating supplies, athletic equipment, you name it, tax free for the month of July,” Gov. DeSantis said. “That is really, really significant.”
During the holiday period, no sales tax will be collected on outdoor recreation activities, including swimming, fishing, and camping. It must be noted that the tax exemption will only apply to items that
are purchased, not rented.
The sales tax holiday also applies to concert tickets, museums and state park admissions. Though residents will be able to buy tax-free tickets in July for events dated before the end of the year, changes
or upgrades made to those tickets after will be subject to taxes.
It must be noted that additional services connected to an event, such as parking and memorabilia purchases, may not be tax-free. Purchases made at theme parks and airports won’t be tax-free either.
Florida Retail Federation is optimistic that the tax holiday will offer a summer boost to retailers. The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation, however, referred to the tax holiday as “political gimmicks” that divert money from genuine relief.
Florida expects residents to save almost $92 million in sales tax this month.
Last year, the state launched a tax holiday for three months. This year, it’s only for July, but the state will hold separate tax holidays for back-to-school purchases and hurricane-preparedness supplies.
Which items will be tax-free?
Keep reading to learn where you can save (and can’t) during Florida Freedom Month.
Items that will be tax-exempt in July
- Tickets to theater performances, sporting events, concerts, movies and cultural events dated before the end of the year.
- Season tickets to music events, ballets, musical theater performances and plays.
- Bait and fishing tackle costing $5 or less.
- Gym memberships.
- Water bottles costing $30 or less.
What this sales tax holiday doesn’t include
- Rentals of eligible items.
- Items purchased for commercial fishing purposes.
- Theme park and entertainment complex admission.
- Public lodging establishments
Visit this link to view the full list of items that will and won’t be sales tax-free this month.
Florida first held Freedom in 2021, but it was only for a week around Independence Day. It was repeated for a week in 2022, but was expanded to three months last year.
