Tax holidays for children's books, power tools and much more
Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis has just announced a series of nine separate sales-tax holidays and tax exemptions, spread out through the coming year.
The measures announced on May 6 are intended as a means of helping residents to ride-out the heightened cost of living that is gripping Florida and the wider United States.
The governor spoke at a podium in a retail store, surrounded by smiling supporters who also welcomed his wife, Casey and two of DeSantis' kids.
The tax breaks and holidays he announced are the latest measure intended to ease the financial burden on average residents of the state, and most would argue that they can't come quickly enough.
"Floridians can't afford Florida anymore"
In a rare move for a Democrat, gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried appeared on Republican-leaning Fox News this week to share her opinion that "Floridians can't afford Florida anymore". Fried was referring mainly to the escalating rents being seen across the state, but her comments apply also to the heightened cost of basic goods like clothing, groceries and fuel that are plaguing most right now.
As gasoline costs remain high in the state having not recovered to normal levels since price hikes at the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, many will be most interested in the tax holiday on motor fuel although there's a suggestion that this may not come for some time, until October of this year.
This would be just before the gubernatorial election and the timing is likely significant.
Tax holidays and exemptions that will benefit many
Many might be more appreciative of a financial stimulus payment like those that have been awarded to certain select groups including teachers, police officers and firefighters, rather than the opportunity to save money while spending. But there are at least a number of opportunities to save money on a variety of things.
At various times there will be sales tax exemptions on children's books, power tools, energy star appliances, children's diapers and clothing and at back-to-school time. Exemptions for disaster preparedness and home hardening will also be welcomed by many.
Details of tax holidays, and further information on eligibility criteria and exclusions can be downloaded from Florida's Department of Revenue website.
Will you benefit from the sales-tax exemptions and tax holidays announced by the governor? Are you struggling financially to live in Florida right now? Let me know in the comments section below.
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