DeSantis announces second Freedom Sales Tax Holiday initiative spanning month of July

TAMPA, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the state would be having its second annual Freedom Sales Tax Holiday initiative, spanning the month of July.

The governor made the announcement during a press conference on Tuesday.

The initiative exempts sales tax for supples for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, boating, and swimming. It stretches from July 1 to July 31.

Events and activities like movies, festivals, fairs, live music, as well as entry to state parks and museums will all be tax free as well.

“Our view is this is part of enjoying the summer in Florida,” DeSantis said. “So that’s going to be a really important month, we’re gonna wanna put it on peoples’ radars now so they can start planning for those purchases if they wanna do that.”

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton thanked the governor for his work in promoting healthy opportunities for Floridians to get involved outdoors.

“There’s not a better place to go than our state parks, they’re just amazing opportunities to connect folks to the real Florida,” he said. “They remind us all what we hold dear and why those resources should be treasured for generations to come.”

Dana Young, the president and CEO of Visit Florida, highlighted the great economic benefits of promoting tourist-friendly activities in the state.

“Last year 135 million people visited Florida and that doesn’t count all of us Floridians who travel around the state,” she said.

“We are fortunate enough to live in a state where people save all year long to come here on vacation,” she added. “And that visitor spending, coupled with the leadership of our governor, gives us the tremendous advantage as Floridians, having no state income tax and having the ability to offer these huge sales tax holidays that, if we weren’t doing so well, we wouldn’t be able to offer.”

C.J. Roberts, the Tampa Bay History Center’s president and CEO, also thanked the governor for his work in getting the initiative pushed forward.

He explained how the effort will motivate and encourage Floridians to explore the “rich culture” of the state’s historic and natural resources.

“We at the history center are looking forward to doing our part to spread the word about this opportunity, to promote tourism and visitation to the special places around the state of Florida,” he said.

DeSantis also announced that all state parks would be admission free on Memorial Day weekend, spanning from May 26-28, during a previous press conference.