NEWS & INSIGHTS
Florida’s 2025 Sales Tax Exemptions: Four New Permanent Breaks for Buyers
Florida has made four major changes to its sales tax laws as of Summer 2025—and they’re not temporary holidays. These are permanent exemptions that now apply year-round. Whether you’re planning for hurricane season, investing in gold, or just looking for a fun weekend at a state park, these exemptions are designed to save Floridians money.
Here’s a rundown of what’s now permanently tax-free:
1. Disaster-Preparedness Supplies
As of July 1, 2025, Florida permanently exempted a wide range of disaster-preparedness items from sales tax. These items were previously only exempt during temporary sales tax holidays. Now, they’re tax-free year-round.
Permanently exempt items include:
- Portable generators (up to $3,000)
- Flashlights, batteries, and weather radios
- Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
- Tarps, tie-down kits, and fuel containers
- Coolers, portable power banks, and more
📖 Full article on the disaster-preparedness exemption →
2. Admissions to the Homestead-Miami NASCAR Event
Florida now permanently exempts admissions to the NASCAR Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This includes general admission, VIP access, and multi-day ticket packages.
The exemption applies only to this specific NASCAR event and was enacted to help boost the local economy and tourism.
📖 Read more about the NASCAR exemption →
3. State Park Admissions
Effective July 1, 2025, admission to Florida state parks is permanently exempt from sales tax. This applies to:
- Day passes
- Annual passes
- Park admission bundled with guided tours
However, the exemption does not apply to:
- Campground reservations
- Equipment rentals (e.g., canoes, bikes)
- Retail items sold at concessions
4. Precious Metals Bullion
Starting August 1, 2025, Florida exempts all sales of precious metals bullion from sales and use tax. Previously, only certain gold and large-scale silver purchases were exempt. The new law removes:
- The 1,000 troy ounce minimum for silver
- Restrictions on form, purity, or size
Now exempt:
- Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion
- Bars, coins, and rounds—regardless of quantity
📖 Learn more about the bullion exemption →
Summary of What’s Now Permanently Tax-Free in Florida
As of mid-2025, the following items are exempt from Florida sales tax:
- Disaster-preparedness gear, including generators and flashlights
- Admissions to the Homestead-Miami NASCAR event
- Entry to Florida’s state parks
- All gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion
Who Benefits from These Exemptions?
- Florida residents preparing for storm season or outdoor recreation
- Investors buying physical gold or silver as a hedge against inflation
- Families and nature lovers planning visits to Florida’s state parks
- NASCAR fans and tourists attending the Homestead-Miami Speedway event
- Retailers and e-commerce sellers that handle these exempt goods
Final Thoughts
Florida’s Summer 2025 changes mark a significant shift in sales tax policy, prioritizing practical relief for consumers and strategic exemptions for high-impact industries. These aren’t one-off holidays. They’re part of a longer-term trend—and they’re here to stay.
If your business sells any of these items, make sure your systems and reporting are up to date. And if you’re a buyer? It’s a great time to plan your next camping trip, storm kit, or investment portfolio—tax-free.
© 2025 Jeanette Moffa. All Rights Reserved.
Keywords:
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Florida enacted four new permanent sales tax exemptions in 2025 covering disaster-preparedness supplies, NASCAR event admissions, Florida state park admissions, and all sales of precious metals bullion.
Yes. As of July 1, 2025, items like generators, batteries, flashlights, weather radios, and tarps are permanently exempt from Florida sales tax.
No. The exemption is now permanent, meaning eligible disaster-preparedness items are tax-free all year round.
Yes. Admissions to the annual NASCAR Cup Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway are now permanently tax-exempt.
No. The exemption applies only to the specified NASCAR event at Homestead-Miami Speedway—not other races or tracks.
Not anymore. As of July 1, 2025, admission to state parks—including day passes and annual passes—is permanently exempt from sales tax.
No. The exemption applies only to park admissions. Rentals, lodging, and concessions are still subject to sales tax.
Yes. Beginning August 1, 2025, Florida exempts all sales of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion—regardless of quantity or purity—from sales and use tax.
The exemption applies to bars, coins, and rounds of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. There are no quantity thresholds.
Businesses selling qualifying items must treat those sales as tax-exempt and report them accordingly. It may also affect inventory decisions, pricing, and marketing strategy.
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Jeanette Moffa, Esq.
(954) 800-4138
JeanetteMoffa@MoffaTaxLaw.com
Jeanette Moffa is a Partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Moffa, Sutton, & Donnini. She focuses her practice in Florida state and local tax. Jeanette provides SALT planning and consulting as part of her practice, addressing issues such as nexus and taxability, including exemptions, inclusions, and exclusions of transactions from the tax base. In addition, she handles tax controversy, working with state and local agencies in resolution of assessment and refund cases. She also litigates state and local tax and administrative law issues.
