Key facts
- In May 2020, Florida offered a disaster preparedness sales tax holiday from May 29–June 4, exempting hurricane kit items from tax [1]
- Colorado State University predicted 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes for the 2020 season (June 1–November 30)—above the historical average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes [1]
- Tax-exempt items included flashlights, generators, batteries, tarps, fuel containers, radios, bottled water, canned food, first aid kits, and medications, with price caps ranging from $10 to $750 [1]
Preparing for 2020’s Active Hurricane Season
As hurricane season approached in the spring of 2020, Central Florida families faced an urgent question: how to afford a complete disaster preparedness kit? Florida’s state government offered a timely answer with a disaster preparedness sales tax holiday running from May 29 through June 4, 2020 [1].
What Experts Predicted for 2020
Colorado State University forecasters predicted the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season would be busier than average. Between June 1 and November 30, they expected 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes—compared to the historical average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes [1].
Tax-Exempt Hurricane Kit Items
The 2020 sales tax holiday covered a wide range of disaster supplies, many with specific price caps [1]:
- Up to $10: Reusable ice packs [1]
- Up to $20: Portable self-powered light sources including flashlights, lanterns, and candles (battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas powered) [1]
- Up to $25: Gas and diesel fuel containers, including LP gas and kerosene containers [1]
- Up to $30: Batteries in listed sizes (AA, AAA, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt), containers, and ice chests for food storage [1]
- Up to $50: Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, ground anchor systems, tie-down kits, bungee cords, ratchet straps, and two-way/weather band radios [1]
- Up to $750: Portable generators designed to provide light, communications, or food preservation during power outages [1]
Always Tax-Exempt Items
Certain supplies remained exempt from sales tax year-round, whether during the May 2020 holiday or any other time [1]:
- Bottled water (unflavored, uncarbonated) [1]
- Canned food including meats, vegetables, fruits, peanut butter, and other nonperishable items [1]
- First aid kits [1]
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications [1]
- Baby food and formula [1]
What the Tax Holiday Did Not Cover
The 2020 sales tax exemption did not apply to equipment rentals, reports on items, or purchases made at theme parks, entertainment complexes, lodging establishments, or airports [1].
Frequently asked questions
When was Florida’s 2020 disaster preparedness sales tax holiday?
The holiday ran from Friday, May 29, through Thursday, June 4, 2020 [1].
What did Colorado State University predict for the 2020 hurricane season?
Colorado State University predicted 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes for the 2020 Atlantic season (June 1–November 30), above the historical average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes [1].
What items were always tax-exempt during the 2020 holiday?
Bottled water, canned food, first aid kits, prescription and non-prescription medications, and baby food and formula remained tax-exempt even outside the holiday period [1].
Where could the tax exemption not be used?
The sales tax holiday did not apply at theme parks, entertainment complexes, lodging establishments, or airports, nor for rentals or reports on qualifying items [1].
Sources
- Hurricane Season 2020: What to Stock up on During Tax-Free Holiday – Central Florida Lifestyle, 2020-05-27
Originally published by Central Florida Lifestyle on 2020-05-27; updated October 6, 2026 with current information.
