Tax Holiday

It runs during the peak of hurricane season, from Aug. 24 through Sept. 6.

The state has begun a tax "holiday" that will allow back-to-school shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on items such as clothes, school supplies and laptops.

Retailers hope outdoor enthusiasts planning to buy canoes, fishing gear or tickets to ball games have become more aware of a sales-tax "holiday" in July aimed, at least in part, at encouraging people to be more active.

Items such as generators, batteries, and pet supplies will be available tax-free from June 1-14 ahead of what is predicted to be a "turbulent" hurricane season.

The package creates new tax holidays in the state, and provides tax relief for homeowners and small business owners.

The Florida Senate on Thursday rolled out a wide-ranging tax package that includes offering sales-tax "holidays" and modest discounts on property-insurance policies.

It includes items such as clothes, backpacks, school supplies, and personal computers and related accessories that cost $1,500 or less.

This Saturday marks the start of Florida’s second Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday. It runs through Friday, Sept. 8.

The annual back-to-school sales tax holiday starts Monday and lasts two weeks. National chains like Kohl’s and Target have already announced sales.

Sadaf Knight, CEO of the Florida Policy Institute, explains the impact of sales tax holidays in the state.

The exemptions apply to Energy Star appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers and refrigerators.

The package includes a series of tax holidays, reducing a commercial-lease tax and providing permanent sales-tax exemptions for such things as diapers and incontinence products and baby and toddler items.