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Two storm tax 'holidays' proposed
Sales tax “holidays” to help people buy gear to prepare for storms and other disasters would be held at the start and during the heart of next year’s hurricane season, under a proposal filed Wednesday.
The measure (SB 808), filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, would be the first time that storm-preparation tax breaks would be split into two periods.
This year, a 10-day period started May 28 and allowed shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on a wide range of supplies, from tarps and batteries to radios and portable generators.
State economists estimated the period would save shoppers $10.5 million.
The holidays in the past have been held around the June 1 start of hurricane season.
Under Gruters’ proposal, tax breaks would be offered in 2022 from June 2 through June 6 and from Sept. 8 through Sept. 12.
The bill is filed for consideration during the legislative session that will start in January.
Lawmakers typically include tax holidays in broader tax packages negotiated near the end of the legislative session.
