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Florida’s month-long Freedom Summer sales tax holiday starts July 1

Florida suspends entrance fees for all state parks for Memorial Day weekend

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference Tuesday in Naples. (WJXT)

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that he would be signing the Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday in the budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25.

The Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday, starting July 1, will make items such as fishing supplies, outdoor recreation equipment, and admissions to state parks and museums sales tax free.

“Florida is stepping up to make summer more affordable for families,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis also announced that Florida State Parks will offer free admission on Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-27) to kick off the summer for Florida’s families.

”Florida’s 175 award-winning state parks are second to none,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “I encourage all of Florida’s residents and visitors to take advantage of these extra savings and discover the unique experiences the real Florida has to offer.”

The Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday will remove the sales tax on items families use during the summer, including:

Boating and water activity supplies:

  • Goggles and snorkels ($25 or less) 
  • Pool toys ($35 or less)
  • Coolers, Life jackets, Paddles ($75 or less)
  • Inflatable water tubes and floats, Wakeboards ($150 or less)
  • Paddleboards, Surfboards ($300 or less)
  • Canoes, Kayaks ($500 or less)

Fishing Supplies: 

  • Bait and Tackle ($5 or less for individual items, $10 or less for multiple items sold together)
  • Tackle boxes ($30 or less)
  • Reels, Rods ($75 or less)

Camping Supplies: 

  • Flashlights ($30 or less)
  • Sleeping bags, Camping chairs ($50 or less)
  • Tents ($200 or less)

Outdoor Supplies: 

  • Sunscreen ($15 or less)
  • Water bottles ($30 or less)
  • Bicycle helmets ($50 or less)
  • Outdoor grills ($250 or less)
  • Bicycles ($500 or less)

Admissions to events or performances scheduled to be held between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024:

  • Live music events
  • Live sporting events
  • Movies to be shown in a movie theater
  • Ballets
  • Plays
  • Fairs
  • Festivals

Admissions purchased for any of the following:

  • Museums, including annual passes
  • State parks, including annual passes
  • Season tickets for ballets, plays, music events, and musical theater performances

About the Author
Francine Frazier headshot

A Jacksonville native and proud University of North Florida alum, Francine Frazier has been with News4Jax since 2014 after spending nine years at The Florida Times-Union.

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