Baby wipes, diapers and even strollers could soon be tax-free in Florida -- that is, if Governor Ron DeSantis gets his way.
DeSantis on Tuesday unveiled a $1.1 billion tax relief proposal that, among other things, seeks to make all baby products tax-free in the state.
"This is the most robust package," DeSantis said in unveiling the plan, which is designed to help families battle rising inflation. "This is really, really good to say, in the state of Florida, we respect you as taxpayers and we're gonna work to lessen the burden on you."
The proposal includes a permanent tax exemption for baby and toddler necessities including diapers, baby wipes, clothing, and shoes for children under the age of 5. DeSantis' office said this alone would save Florida families an estimated $132.5 million.
The proposal also calls for a permanent tax exemption for cribs and strollers.
In addition to baby-related items, the ambitious plan calls for making children's books, toys, athletic equipment and all household items that cost less than $25 tax-free for a period of one year as well.
"That's each individual item," DeSantis said. "So if you buy $500 worth of stuff, every single thing that's under $25 is tax-free. So that could be pretty significant for folks, particularly for folks that have big families."
For families with older children, the plan also aims to expand Florida's back-to-school tax holiday to a total of four weeks.
Families with pets could also see a benefit. The proposal includes a one-year tax exemption on pet food and a permanent tax exemption for over-the-counter pet medications, such as flea and tick prevention.
Additionally, the plan calls for a permanent tax exemption on items that contain medicinal ingredients and medical equipment to close the gap on medical supplies and equipment that is not sales tax exempt.
Before the sweeping proposal can be put into effect, it has to be approved by the Florida Legislature, which won't reconvene until March 2023.
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