JUPITER, FL (352today.com) — Florida’s hurricane season officially begins June 1, but this year, residents won’t get the usual early-season sales tax break on emergency supplies.

At a press conference Friday inside a Home Depot in Jupiter, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state’s annual hurricane preparedness tax holiday hasn’t been scheduled yet because lawmakers haven’t passed the state budget.

“We don’t have any of the tax holidays in place in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said. “I think you need two weeks early so you can get all the supplies you need tax free.”

Under Florida’s constitution, lawmakers are required to pass a balanced budget by July 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year. While no budget has been finalized yet, past years suggest tax holidays may still be approved later in the year.

In 2024, for example, lawmakers added a second two-week disaster prep tax holiday in August. There’s a chance something similar could be worked into this year’s budget.

Still, that doesn’t help residents trying to stock up before hurricane season starts this weekend.

“You can hope for that, you can pray for that, but you can’t prepare for a season with no hurricanes,” DeSantis said, reminding Floridians that preparation is key, especially after last year’s damaging storms like Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.

The governor says a tax holiday is still coming, just not yet. “One way or another, there’s going to be a hurricane preparedness tax holiday,” he said.

For now, officials are urging residents not to wait for the tax break. Start getting your supplies, review your evacuation plans, and stay weather-aware.

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