Customers can skip the sales tax on back to school and disaster preparedness products under a new law signed by Gov. Scott Thursday which also ends the so-called "tampon Tax."
Scott signed HB 7109, a tax relief package with several benefits for regular Floridians.
- Sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products
The makes clear that feminine hygiene products are not luxury items and therefore not in the same category as regular toiletries. Florida now joins 8 states and the District of Columbia in ending the tampon tax. - 2017 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
The law creates a three-day holiday from June 2-4. Sales tax-free items can include: flashlights and lanterns costing $20 or less, radios, tarps, coolers, first aid kits and generators, among other items. - 2017 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
The annual sales tax holiday for school supplies returns August 4-6. Sales tax-free items include school supplies costing less than $15, personal computers or accessories costing $750 or less, and clothing and footwear costing $60 or less.
The bill also reduces the sales tax on commercial leases permanently. The state currently levies a 6 percent tax on the total rent or license fee charged for renting property. The bill lowers the rate to 5.8 percent.
Scott approved the $180 million tax cut package even though the bill is far less than the governor asked for in January.
Scott initially requested a $618 million tax cut package with a 25 percent cut in commercial rent taxes. He also asked for a 10-day back to school holiday and a 3-day sales tax holiday for military veterans.