Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday kicks off this weekend, giving Floridians a chance to save money and stock up on crucial supplies ahead of the 2022 hurricane season.

The annual sales tax holiday begins on Saturday, May 28 and runs through Friday, June 10. Over the next two weeks, Floridians can shop for eligible disaster preparedness items with no tax due. Additionally, for the first time, Floridians will also be able to purchase supplies, such as food, leashes, collars and kennels for their pets during the sales tax holiday.

Florida leaders are encouraging consumers to take advantage of the tax-free items after the NOAA predicted an above-average hurricane season this year.

“The 2022 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday starts this weekend and now is the time to prepare for what is predicted to be a busy hurricane season. I am encouraging Floridians to take advantage of the special savings between May 28th – June 10th on emergency supplies, such as batteries, flashlights, generators, items for your pets, and so much more,” said Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. “There is nothing more important than having a disaster plan in place to protect you, your family, and your home.

The sales tax exemption on hurricane supplies is one of several tax breaks promoted during the 2022 Legislative Session. The Florida Legislature passed a measure (HB 7071), the largest tax relief package in Florida’s history, in March. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law in May, extending the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from 10 days to 14 days and adding pet supplies to the tax-free holiday.

Other qualifying disaster preparedness supplies include flashlights, batteries, weather radios, tarps, and generators costing $1,000 or less.

Floridians are expected to save $25.6 million on the purchase of tax-free items. The new forecast is more than double compared to the $10.5 million Floridians saved during the 2021 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.

“Preparing for hurricanes and other natural disasters can be costly, especially with ongoing inflation continuing to impact our nation,” said DeSantis “This year, the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday has been extended to a full two weeks to ensure Floridians are receiving the maximum amount of savings and have enough time to prepare for hurricane season.”

Researchers predict that the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season — which runs from June 1 to November 30 — will be very active, with a recent forecast calling for nineteen named storms with nine of them reaching hurricane status. Of the nine, four are forecast to become a major hurricane.

A full list of eligible tax-free items can be found here.