Florida's 'disaster preparedness' sales tax holiday offers chance to save on needed supplies June 1-7

Kelly Tyko | Treasure Coast Newspapers

Show Caption Hide Caption If a hurricane is headed your way, here's what you need to do From securing your home to backing up your files, how to prepare for a hurricane. GINNY BEAGAN/TCPALM

Have we learned from our past mistakes?

If you drove around searching for a gas can before Hurricane Irma hit last September or woke up early to be the first customer at Publix to pick up a few cases of bottled water or batteries, I hope you've already started preparing for the 2018 hurricane season.

I suspect many have not replenished their supplies.

There's no time like the present and Florida's seven-day "disaster preparedness" sales tax holiday starts on the official first day of hurricane season.

From June 1-7, save on sales tax on eligible items including reusable ice packs, flashlights, gas containers, radios, tarps and generators. The values of the items vary.

The tax break, which is four days longer than last year's brief holiday, provides an incentive for being prepared. Along with the local and state sales tax savings you should also save time and hopefully avoid the eventual frenzy that comes with an impending storm.

According to Florida Tax Watch, a sales tax holiday makes it more likely Floridians will prepare. The state estimates residents will save $5.8 million during the weeklong event.

If you’re looking for tax savings on clothes, shoes and school supplies, Florida’s three-day back-to-school holiday is Aug. 3-5.

More: Hurricane season's almost here. What can you do now to prepare?

Florida’s disaster preparedness tax holiday

The following qualifying items will be tax-free June 1-7 in Florida except for purchases at theme parks, airports, hotels and motels. Learn more at www.floridarevenue.com/disasterprep.

Selling for $10 or less: Reusable ice.

Selling for $20 or less: Any portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank or gas) including candles, flashlights and lanterns.

Selling for $25 or less: Any gas or diesel fuel container, including propane and kerosene containers.

Selling for $30 or less: Coolers and ice chests for food storage. Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only (excluding automobile and boat batteries), such as AAA-cell, AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, and 9-volt.

Selling for $50 or less: Bungee cords, ground anchor systems, two-way and weather band radios (powered by battery, solar or hand-crank), ratchet straps, tarps, tie-down kits, plastic sheeting including drop cloths and other waterproof sheeting.

Selling for $750 or less: Portable generators used to provide light or communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage.

Always exempt: Bottled water, canned food, peanut butter and other nonperishable items, first aid kits, baby food and formula and prescription and most over-the-counter medications.

Note: Eligible light sources and radios qualify for the exemption even if electrical cords are included.

Source: Florida Department of Revenue

Kelly Tyko is a consumer columnist and retail reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This column reflects her opinion. Read her Bargainista tips at TCPalm.com/Bargainista and follow her on Twitter @KellyTyko. Sign up for her weekly newsletter at www.tcpalm.com/featured-newsletter/bargainistabest.

Basic disaster supplies kit

A basic emergency supply kit for your home should include the following items:

One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

Battery-powered or hand crank radio

Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Flashlight and extra batteries

First aid kit

Whistle to signal for help

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Manual can opener

Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container

Cash and change

Source: FEMA; https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit