Statement by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro on Two Sales Tax Holidays Beginning Saturday, July 1, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wed., June 28, 2023
CONTACT: Aly Coleman Raschid, aly@on3pr.com, 850.391.5040

Statement by Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro on Two Sales Tax Holidays Beginning Saturday, July 1, 2023

Tallahassee, Fla. – The statement below, to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro, pertains to the two sales tax holidays beginning Sat., July 1, 2023 – the ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday (an extension of the existing sales tax holiday) and the new Gas Ranges and Cooktops Sales Tax Holiday. To learn more and/or schedule an interview with President and CEO Calabro, please contact Aly Coleman Raschid at aly@on3pr.com or 850.391.5040.

“Florida taxpayers work hard to provide for their families, stimulate growth in their communities, and ensure the state economy is diverse, robust, and successful – they deserve any and all tax relief that can be offered to them, while still investing in critical needs and maintaining an appropriate level of reserves. The ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday and the Gas Ranges and Cooktops Sales Tax Holiday are just two of the many initiatives established by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature that will help families take advantage of these savings opportunities.”

According to Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget highlights, the $1.3 billion tax relief package in Florida’s Fiscal Year 2023-24 state budget contains funding for more than 15 sales tax holidays and exemptions, including these two beginning Sat., July 1, 2023:

• A one-year extension of the existing ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday (Sat., July 1, 2023-Sun., June 30, 2024) – generating an additional $86.2 million in savings – that applies to appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers, and water heaters selling for $1,500 or less and refrigerators or combination refrigerators/freezers selling for $4,500 or less that meet or exceed the energy star standards.
• A new one-year Gas Ranges and Cooktops Sales Tax Holiday (Sat., July 1, 2023-Sun., June 30, 2024) on the purchase of new stoves that are fueled by combustible gas such as syngas, natural gas, propane, butane, liquefied petroleum gas or other flammable gas, which will save $6.9 million.

These sales tax holidays accompany the ongoing 14-week Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday (Mon., May 29-Mon., Sept. 4, 2023) and the two-year Home Hardening Sales Tax Exemption (Fri., July 1, 2022-Sun., June 30, 2024). You can access President and CEO Calabro’s comments on those here and here respectively. 

About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for more than forty years and the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on taxpayers and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org. 

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