Emergency Preparedness Guide… check! Safety kit…check! June 1st marks the official first day of hurricane season so citizens are encouraged to prepare now if they haven’t already. The 2021 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins Friday and extends through Thursday, June 3rd. During the sales tax holiday period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax.

The following products are included:

Selling for $20 or less

• Reusable ice (ice packs)

Selling for $40 or less
Any portable self-powered light source* (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank or gas):

• Flashlights
• Lanterns
• Candles

Selling for $50 or less

• Any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers
• Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only (excluding automobile and boat batteries):
  • AA and AAA
  • C-cell
  • D-cell
  • 6-volt
  • 9-volt
• Two-way and weather band radios* (powered by battery, solar, or hand-crank)

Selling for $60 or less

• Coolers and ice chests (food storage, non-electrical)
• Portable power banks

Selling for $100 or less

• Tarpaulins (tarps)
• Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths and other flexible waterproof sheeting
• Ground anchor systems
• Tie-down kits
• Bungee cords
• Ratchet straps

Selling for $1,000 or less

• Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in the event of a power outage

* Eligible light sources and radios qualify for the exemption even if electrical cords are included.