Florida: New Sales Tax Holiday Proposed for 2014
- Jan 29, 2014 | Gail Cole
Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) has proposed a new sales tax holiday in his 2014-2015 budget. If approved, it would exempt from sales tax numerous supplies for hurricane preparedness between June 1 and June 14, 2014.
Exempt items would include batteries, first-aid kits, flashlights, and weather radios-- items that would welcome in any disaster supply kit.
In the governor’s words, “This 15-day sales tax holiday will help Florida families prepare for hurricane season and let them keep more than $20 million. This tax holiday will allow families to better protect and safeguard their homes during a storm.”
Numerous people are quoted speaking in favor of the sales tax holiday in the governor’s press release. They represent a wide variety of agencies and businesses, such as Lowe’s, Shell Lumber & Hardware, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Bryan Koon, the Florida Director of Emergency Management, believes the sales tax holiday would encourage Floridians to “to restock their disaster supply kits and develop emergency plans for their families and businesses.” Preparing now, he notes, will “save lives and property in the event of a disaster.”
Florida Retail Federation President and CEO Rick McAllister underscores the need for Floridians to be self-reliant when disaster strikes. He says, “A tax break is a great way to make readiness supplies more affordable for families, and the sales tax holiday will be a good opportunity for retailers to help raise awareness of the need for Florida’s residents to be ready for storms and other emergencies.”
Perhaps David Hart of the Florida Chamber of Commerce says it best: “Governor Scott’s hurricane sales tax holiday proposal is a win for Florida families and a win for Florida’s small businesses.”
Hurricane season in the Atlantic typically runs June through November.
Disaster preparedness sales tax holidays prepare people for disasters. An automated sales tax solution prepares businesses for sales tax holidays.
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