TAMPA, Fla. — Floridians will get to buy everything they need for the summer without paying any sales tax this coming July as part of the Freedom Sales Tax Holiday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement Tuesday during a stop at the Tampa Bay History Center, a museum where admission for Florida residents will be tax-free during the holiday period.
"Our view is this is part of enjoying the summer in Florida," DeSantis said. "So we want to put it on people's radars now so that they can start planning for those purchases if they want to do that."
Starting July 1, things like fishing and camping supplies, beach and water activities, tickets to sporting events and state parks will have the sales tax waived.
The holiday ends on July 31.
"This is going to make a big difference for families, and we're happy to be able to step up and do it," he said.
Earlier in the day, the governor announced that admission to state parks will be free during Memorial Day weekend. That includes popular spots like Honeymoon Island and Caledesi Island. To find a state park you may want to visit, you can find an interactive map here.
"By offering these tax savings, travelers will have more money in their pockets to spend on hotels [and] restaurants," said Dana Young, the president and CEO of Visit Florida.
So what's covered?
Boating and water activity supplies:
- Goggles and snorkels ($25 or less)
- Pool toys ($35 or less)
- Coolers, Life jackets, Paddles ($75 or less)
- Inflatable water tubes and floats, Wakeboards ($150 or less)
- Paddleboards, Surfboards ($300 or less)
- Canoes, Kayaks ($500 or less)
Fishing Supplies:
- Bait and Tackle ($5 or less for individual items, $10 or less for multiple items sold together)
- Tackle boxes ($30 or less)
- Reels, Rods ($75 or less)
Camping Supplies:
- Flashlights ($30 or less)
- Sleeping bags or camping chairs ($50 or less)
- Tents ($200 or less)
Outdoor Supplies:
- Sunscreen ($15 or less)
- Water bottles ($30 or less)
- Bicycle helmets ($50 or less)
- Outdoor grills ($250 or less)
- Bicycles ($500 or less)
Admissions to events or performances scheduled to be held between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024:
- Live music events
- Live sporting events
- Movies to be shown in a movie theater
- Ballets
- Plays
- Fairs
- Festivals
Admissions purchased for any of the following:
- Museums, including annual passes
- State parks, including annual passes
- Season tickets for ballets, plays, music events, and musical theater performances
