2nd sales

Florida shoppers looking for batteries, ice packs, or even laundry detergent ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia can benefit from a fortuitously timed sales tax holiday.

As Idalia approaches Florida’s west coast, the state’s second “Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday” of the year kicked off on Saturday and runs through Sept. 8.

Some of the tax free items during the holiday include: packages of AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries costing $50 or less; portable power banks $60 or less; portable generators $3,000 or less; flashlights and candles $40 or less; ice packs $20 or less; and dry cat or dog food weighing 50 pounds or less and not more than $100.

Some common household items less than $30 are also tax-free such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, hand soap, dish soap and trash bags. Sales at theme parks, airports, entertainment complexes, and public lodging will still be taxed.

By Monday morning, Orlando shoppers had started purchasing bottled water. There was still plenty of water at a Winter Park Publix, although some shelves were empty.

Publix, which has more than 180 stores in Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola and Volusia counties, is working to keep stores stocked and has not imposed any item limits as of Monday afternoon, said spokeswoman Hannah Herring.

“Our top priority is the safety of our associates, customers and communities, and Publix will continue to make product deliveries as long as it is safe to do so,” Herring said.

This is the second of the disaster preparedness tax holidays this year, which have historically only taken place once per year in the state. The first took place in late May into early June, and the two events were expected to save $143.8 million in taxes, according to the News Service of Florida.

There are other sales tax holidays in Florida, including the state’s “Freedom Summer” still running through Sept. 4 where shoppers can skip paying sales taxes on concerts and other events and outdoor supplies such as canoes.

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