Statement by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro on Four Sales Tax Holidays Beginning Friday, July 1, 2022
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the four sales tax holidays beginning Friday, July 1, 2022 – Freedom Week, Energy Star Appliances, Diapers and Baby Clothes, and Home Hardening. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with President and CEO Calabro, please contact Aly Coleman at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040.
“Florida TaxWatch sincerely thanks Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate President Wilton Simpson, House Speaker Chris Sprowls, and the Florida Legislature for once again putting everyday Floridians and their families first. In our role as a government watchdog, we are constantly looking out for the taxpayer and identifying opportunities for them to hold onto their hard-earned money. The lineup of sales tax holidays in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget clearly demonstrates a similar commitment and, what’s more, compassion for the financial hardships people across the state, from the panhandle down to the Keys, have experienced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
“We strongly encourage Floridians to take advantage of these sales tax holidays by proactively bolstering your home’s resiliency over the next two years – particularly as we enter what’s expected to be another active hurricane season – investing in energy efficient appliances to scale back your utility bills, and saving on the diapers and clothes your baby needs through June 2023. And don’t forget to have some fun outdoors this weekend, celebrating the Fourth of July and the many freedoms we are so fortunate to have in the Sunshine State.”
According to Governor DeSantis’ Freedom First Budget Highlights, the $1.24 billion tax cut package in Florida’s Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget contains funding for nine sales tax holidays, including these four beginning Friday, July 1, 2022:
- A Seven-Day Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday – Removes sales tax on boating and water activity supplies and camping, fishing, outdoor, and sporting equipment from Friday, July 1, 2022 through Thursday, July 7, 2022, saving Florida families $70.6 million.
- A One-Year Energy Star Appliances Sales Tax Holiday – Removes sales tax on Energy Star Appliances from Friday, July 1, 2022 through Friday, June 30, 2023, saving Florida families $78.5 million.
- A One-Year Diapers and Baby Clothes Sales Tax Holiday – Removes sales tax on diapers and baby clothes from Friday, July 1, 2022 through Friday, June 30, 2023, saving Florida families $120 million.
- A Two-Year Home Hardening Sales Tax Holiday – Removes sales tax on impact resistant windows, doors, and garage doors from Friday, July 1, 2022 through Sunday, June 30, 2024, saving Florida families $443 million.