By Ed Dean

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is telling homeowners to hurry up and take advantage of the Home Hardening Sales Tax Exemption before it ends on June 30 of 2024.

The CFO says the initiative has saved consumers an estimated $462.6 million in taxes statewide. The savings are passed on to homeowners when they strengthen their homes by installing impact-resistant items like windows, doors, and garage doors. Then, the state says you are eligible for mandatory premium savings from your homeowner’s insurance company.

The program establishes a two-year sales tax exemption on the retail sales of items like impact-resistant windows, doors, and garage doors.

The My Safe Florida Home program also funds other projects the state is offering to help taxpayers save money.

Over $200 million will be offered to Florida consumers this year. The program matches up to $10,000 of the costs Florida homeowners pay for home improvements designed to protect against tropical storms and hurricanes.

Those eligible Florida homeowners will get free home inspections for hurricane readiness and offer recommendations for wind mitigation features such as roofing materials, better exterior and garage doors, storm shutters, attachments for walls and roofs like hurricane clips, and more.

Homeowners who get the wind mitigation inspection may also apply for matching grant funds to help pay for the recommended improvements. The state will match $2 for every dollar the homeowners spend, up to a cap of $10,000.

Analysis shows homeowners who took advantage of the program reported average savings of $1,014 per year.