DeSantis Proposes Sweeping New Tax Relief That Could End Taxes On Household Items Prices $25 Or Less

 

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) proposed sweeping new tax relief measures.

At a press briefing in Bradenton, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a proposal that would provide 1.1 billion dollars in tax relief.

the quote family-focused tax relief would provide exemptions on items like cribs strollers household items under 25 children's books and toys. DeSantis is currently running for re-election against Charlie Crist. Included in the proposal is an expansion of the annual Back to School tax holiday and permanent tax exemptions for baby and toddler items in addition to a yearlong tax exemption on other household items families need every day. Details on the proposal can be found here.

Crist served as Florida's governor from 2007 until 2011 as a Republican and became a Democrat in 2012.

As per the FL governor's press release this proposal includes tax holidays on items frequently purchased by Florida families: 

• Reinstates the two-week Back to School tax holiday for families in the fall and adds an additional two-week holiday in the spring for children returning to school after the winter break. The two holiday periods would save Florida families an estimated $210 million. 
• A permanent tax exemption for baby and toddler necessities including diapers, baby wipes, clothing, and shoes for children under the age of 5. This would save Florida families an estimated $132.5 million. 
• A permanent tax exemption for cribs and strollers. This will save Florida families an estimated $4 million. 
• A permanent tax exemption on items that contain medicinal ingredients and medical equipment to close the gap on medical supplies and equipment that is not sales tax exempt. This would save Florida families an estimated $58.5 million. 
• A 1-year tax exemption for household items under $25 like laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, and trash bags. This would save Florida families an estimated $112.3 million. 
• A 1-year tax exemption for children’s books for children under 17 years old. This will save Florida families an estimated $16.8 million. 
• A 1-year tax exemption for children’s toys is designated for children between the ages of 2-12. This would save Florida families an estimated $116 million. 
• A 1-year tax exemption for children’s athletic equipment like children’s bikes, footballs, soccer balls, rollerblades, baseballs, baseball bats, etc. This would save Florida families an estimated $33 million. 
• A 1-year tax exemption on pet food for household pets and a permanent tax exemption for over-the-counter pet medications such as flea and tick prevention. This would save Florida families with pets an estimated $189 million.

 

The proposal also includes a continuation of tax holidays for the 2023-2024 fiscal year: 

• 2-week Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday
• 1-week Tools and Home Improvement Tax Holiday
• 1-week Freedom Week Tax Holiday
• 1-year Energy Star Appliance Tax Holiday