These hurricane prep items are permanently tax-free in Florida

Florida no longer has Disaster Preparedness Tax Holidays, but select items are always sales tax-free.

TAMPA, Fla. — With hurricane season less than a month away, it’s time to stock up on emergency supplies. Luckily, certain hurricane preparedness items are now permanently tax-free in Florida.

In 2025, Florida lawmakers axed two hurricane tax holidays, opting instead to make some items sales tax-free year-round.

That means instead of waiting for two-week tax holidays to build your hurricane kits, you can buy certain items without sales tax at any time.

Tax-free hurricane supplies

Batteries (AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt and 9-volt)Portable generatorsFire extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarms and carbon monoxide detectorsInsect repellentSunscreenLife jacketsWaterproof tarps (1,000 square feet or smaller)Ground anchor systems and ti-down kitsGas/diesel fuel cans up to five gallons

There are several items that the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays used to cover that aren’t included in the permanent tax break, like reusable ice packs, lanterns, flashlights, candles, portable power banks, non-electric food storage coolers and pet supplies. 

However, several of the items are important to have in your hurricane kit. The Florida Division of Emergency Management provides a checklist of disaster supply items.