Save on these items during Florida’s first “Freedom Week” tax holiday

TALLAHASSEE --- Florida is about to find out how much a week of sales-tax “freedom” translates into capitalism.

Starting Thursday, in what lawmakers dubbed “Freedom Week,” people will receive sales-tax breaks when they make a wide range of purchases that could help spur them to be more active after being limited by the coronavirus pandemic.

Shoppers from Thursday through July 7 will be able to avoid paying all or part of sales taxes on purchases such as grills; bicycles; fishing and camping gear; kayaks and canoes; tickets for concerts, movies and ball games; gym memberships; boxes of softballs and sleeves of tennis balls; and even sunscreen.

Sales taxes will be lifted on the following:

TICKETS

--- Tickets purchased for live music events, sporting events, fairs, festivals, cultural events and movies shown in theaters. The tickets can be good for events scheduled through Dec. 31.

--- Entry and annual passes to museums, ballets, plays and musical theater performances.

--- Dues and fees for gyms and physical-fitness facilities.

WATER GEAR

--- The first $25 of the price of snorkels, goggles and swimming masks.

--- The first $50 of the price of safety flares.

--- The first $75 of the price of life jackets, coolers, paddles and oars.

--- The first $150 of the price of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, inflatable water tubes and floats capable of being towed.

--- The first $300 of the price of paddleboards and surfboards.

--- The first $500 of the price of canoes and kayaks.

CAMPING GEAR

--- The first $30 of the price of camping lanterns and flashlights.

--- The first $50 of the price of sleeping bags, portable hammocks, camping stoves and collapsible camping chairs.

--- The first $200 of the price of tents.

FISHING GEAR AND SUPPLIES

--- The first $5 of the price of bait or fishing tackle sold individually.

--- The first $30 of the price of tackle boxes or bags.

--- The first $75 of the price of single fishing rods or $150 when sold as a set.

OTHER ITEMS

--- Items for individual or team sports --- other than footwear and uniforms --- with prices of $40 or less.

--- The first $15 of the price of sunscreen or insect repellant.

--- The first $30 of the price of water bottles.

--- The first $100 of the price of sunglasses.

--- The first $200 of the price of hydration packs and binoculars.

--- The first $250 of the price of outdoor gas or charcoal grills and bicycles.

— By Jim Turner and Tom Urban