Florida Sales Tax Holiday Underway

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J​ust as Idalia makes its way toward Florida, the state is in the midst of a two-week sales tax holiday, in which disaster preparedness items are exempt of sales tax. The holiday extends until Sept. 8.

T​ax exempt items include, but are not limited to: portable generators, tarpaulin and other waterproof sheeting, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, fuel tanks, batteries, flashlights and candles. Also included are common household items such as laundry products, toilet paper, soaps, hand sanitizer and trash bags, as well as supplies necessary in the evacuation of household pets, such as pet food, cat litter, dog beds, portable kennels or pet carriers and more.

(M​ORE: What To Buy During Florida's Tax-Free Hurricane Supply Week)

T​here is no limit on the number of qualifying items that shoppers can purchase.

T​he tax holiday comes at a time when residents would otherwise be rushing to stores to purchase such items to prepare for the incoming storm. Idalia could make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in Florida midweek, and long lines were reported at gas stations and shopping centers in areas like Tallahassee and Tampa on Sunday as locals rushed to stock up ahead of the storm's arrival.

Stores are expected to be busy again on Monday.

T​his is the first year that there have been two disaster-preparedness tax holidays in Florida. The first spanned from May 27 through June 9, just as hurricane season kicked off. According to state economists, the two periods are expected to save shoppers $143 million in sales taxes, CBS News reported.

"It's extremely important that everyone in our community is prepared for hurricane season," Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told CBS News. "This tax holiday provides a real opportunity for many families with tight budgets to be able to afford critical supplies that could keep them safe during and after a disaster."

(​MORE: It's Not Too Late To Prepare For The Hurricane)

The current tax holiday is part of a series of tax holidays passed by the state this spring focused on specific groups of items such as school supplies, tools, Energy Star appliances and more. This includes a three-month tax holiday dubbed "Freedom Summer" ending Sept. 4 which since late May enabled sales-tax exemptions on recreation and outdoor items as well as entertainment events.

Senior editor Nicole Bonaccorso works as weather.com's photo editor and writes about breaking news, travel, climate and more.

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