Florida Outdoor Gear Sales Tax Holiday Runs Through December 31
Florida shoppers can now take advantage of a new sales tax holiday that began September 8 and will continue through December 31, 2025. The statewide tax exemption applies to a wide range of outdoor, hunting, fishing, and camping equipment, making it easier for residents to prepare for fall and winter recreation.
This marks the first time firearms and ammunition are included in a Florida sales tax holiday, with no spending cap on those purchases. The exemption also covers various camping and fishing items, though most of those categories include price limits.
Eligible Items Include:
Hunting equipment: firearms, ammunition, bows, crossbows, and related accessories such as sights, holsters, and cleaning kits.
Camping gear: lanterns and flashlights priced up to $30, sleeping bags, hammocks, stoves, and camping chairs up to $50, and tents up to $200.
Fishing supplies: bait and tackle up to $5 individually or $10 per set, tackle boxes and bags up to $30, and fishing rods and reels up to $75 each or $150 for a combination.
Watercraft: items such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are also tax-free.
Online and mail-order purchases qualify if the order is placed during the holiday and shipped without delay. Layaway items are also included if the final payment is made within the exemption period. However, the holiday does not apply to rentals, repairs, or purchases made at theme parks, airports, or entertainment complexes.
The Florida Department of Revenue estimates that consumers will save about $44.8 million statewide during the holiday. Of that total, $34.6 million represents state revenue and $10.2 million represents local revenue.
Supporters of the holiday view it as a way to provide families with more affordable access to outdoor gear and recreational supplies. At the same time, questions have been raised about the inclusion of high-cost firearms without spending limits, a provision that makes this holiday distinct from previous ones.
The tax holiday is part of a broader shift in Florida’s approach to consumer tax relief. Lawmakers streamlined the system earlier this year, creating two extended exemptions: one for back-to-school supplies in August and this new period for outdoor equipment in the fall and winter.
For more information and a full list of eligible items, residents can visit the Florida Department of Revenue’s website.
