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Sales-tax holiday tips

Times Staff Report
Published May 18, 2006

Florida’s second hurricane preparedness sales-tax holiday on key goods from generators to flashlights begins its 12-day run on Sunday. Here are some tips for tax-free shoppers:

- Read the newspaper ads before venturing out. Many retailers will be staging promotional sales on some tax-free items to get their share of business.

- Just because it’s similar to something that might come in handy after a hurricane, don’t assume it’s tax-free. Tiki torches and many types of batteries will be tax-free, but not car or boat batteries.

- Don’t try to get a deal on plywood for that long-forgotten back porch project. Storm shutter systems and devices are tax-free, but good old plywood is still taxable.

- Many stores are offering classes on the use of chains saws and generators. Take one if it’s going to be your first experience.

- State officials are asking retailers to display carbon monoxide detectors near the generators as an add-on purchase suggestion. Story, 1D

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