The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has officially begun.
Meteorologists with NOAA, AccuWeather and Colorado State University all agree: the 2025 hurricane is predicted to be above average.
That’s not a good sign when, based on a 30-year period from 1991 to 2020, an average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
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Every emergency official also agrees now is the time to prepare; now being before a storm is approaching Florida.
But Florida residents often use the state’s disaster preparedness tax holiday to help with costs when it comes to building that important disaster supply kit.
So far, that tax-free holiday has not been approved by the Florida Legislature. Legislators planned to return to Tallahassee the week of June 2 to work out the details of the state’s 2025-2026 budget.
When is Florida’s tax-free holiday on disaster supplies?
A budget stalemate in Tallahassee resulted in a tax-free holiday for disaster supplies not happening before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, with the busiest time of the season running from mid-August through mid-October.
In 2024, two two-week periods were held to save residents money when purchasing emergency supplies. The first was June 1 through June 14, during the first two weeks of hurricane season.
The second was Aug. 24 through Sept. 6, which occurs during the busiest portion of hurricane season.
What hurricane supplies can you get tax free during Florida holiday?
In past years, residents were able to purchase such supplies as batteries, tarps, portable generators, reusable ice, coolers, and gas tanks without the added burden of paying sales tax.
Even pet food and supplies were included in the tax-free holiday.
Do other states have tax-free holidays for disaster supplies?
A few other states have tax-free holidays to help residents prepare for disasters. Some call it severe weather preparedness, while others focus on hurricane preparation:
What’s going on with Florida’s disaster preparedness tax holiday?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a hurricane preparedness event on May 30 he “encourages all Florida residents and visitors to have a disaster supply kit and a household plan that considers the needs of children, seniors, and pets.”
A dispute between GOP state House and Senate leaders hijacked the disaster supplies sales tax holiday Florida residents have been used to.
Just two days before the June 1 start of hurricane season, legislative leaders announced a preliminary spending deal had been struck. Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Tallahassee the week of June 2 and to work out the details of the state’s 2025-26 budget.
What that will mean for Florida residents remains to be seen.
Memos released to news media mentioned plans for “permanent sales tax exemptions targeted toward Florida families” but didn’t mention specific tax holidays.
DeSantis, who included the hurricane sales tax holiday in his budget recommendations, said he wants lawmakers to include it in any final budget.
House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, has pushed for an overall reduction in the state’s sales tax for all items, moving it from 6% to 5.25%, instead of having specific sales tax holidays. The Senate included a sales tax holiday that would have run May 15-31 in its tax package.
What did DeSantis recommend for hurricane sales tax holiday in Florida?
In his budget, DeSantis proposed several sales tax holidays, including two 14-day periods for disaster preparedness. He projected the savings would equal $72 million on hurricane supplies.
The 2025 sales tax holidays proposed by DeSantis must be approved by the Florida Legislature, but House and Senate leaders have deadlocked over the budget this year.
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When and how do I get ready for a hurricane?
Prepare now, before a hurricane is coming. Break it down into steps:
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Determine your evacuation zone and whether you live in a flood-prone area
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Look over your insurance coverage
Do you live in a flood-prone area? Here’s how to find out
Go to FEMA’s Flood Risk website, floodsmart.gov/flood-risk and enter your ZIP code.
➤ Know your risks from wind and water
Do you live in an evacuation zone? Here’s how to find out
Go to the Florida Department of Emergency Management’s Know Your Zone website and enter your address.
➤ Know your risks from wind and water
When is hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.
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What’s next?
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Contributor: Gray Rohrer, USA Today Network-Florida
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida hurricane supply kit: When is tax-free holiday?
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