Florida homeowners can claim a sales tax refund of up to $500 per residence on qualifying impact-resistant windows, doors, and garage doors purchased between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2029, under Florida HB 7031E. To qualify, the property must be a site-built home with a Florida homestead exemption and a just value of $700,000 or less. Refund applications are submitted directly to the Florida Department of Revenue, which must process and issue refunds within 30 days of approval.
Florida's New Sales Tax Refund for Impact Windows and Doors: What South Florida Homeowners Need to Know
If you have been on the fence about upgrading to impact windows or impact doors here is the news that may tip the decision.
On June 29, 2026 Florida House Bill 7031E was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis. Beginning July 1, 2026, the measure establishes a new sales tax return program for homeowners who buy qualified home hardening items, such as impact-resistant windows, doors, and garage doors, for qualifying residential properties.
The return amount is $500 per dwelling and the application window closes September 30, 2029. Who qualifies, what’s covered and how to claim it: What South Florida residents need to know.
What Is the Florida Home Hardening Sales Tax Refund?
In the past, Florida has provided sales tax exemption programs for impact windows and doors. The most recent program ran from 2022 to 2024, during which qualified items were free from sales tax at the time of sale. “This application operates differently.
HB 7031E preserves the collection of sales tax at the point of purchase. After the purchase, qualifying homeowners apply to the Florida Department of Revenue for a refund up to $500 of the sales tax paid. The reimbursement is not automatic but must be applied for formally although the procedure is controlled directly by the state and must be completed within 30 days of receipt of a full application.
⚠ Key point: This is a refund program, not a point-of-sale exemption. You pay sales tax upfront, then apply to get it back.
The program was established under Florida Statute s. 212.08(21), F.S., created by HB 7031E as part of the state’s $272.2 million 2026 tax relief package.
Who Qualifies for the $500 Impact Window and Door Tax Refund?
Not every Florida property owner is eligible. The program is specifically designed for homeowners in primary residential properties, here’s the full eligibility criteria:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Property Type | Site-built residential dwelling only, condos, mobile homes, and commercial properties do not qualify |
Homestead Exemption |
Property must carry a Florida homestead exemption under s. 196.031, F.S. |
Property Value |
Just value (assessed market value) must be $700,000 or less |
Purchase Window |
Impact windows/doors purchased between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2029 |
Refund Cap |
Up to $500 per residence (not per product, one refund per homestead property) |
Application Window |
Refund applications accepted July 1, 2026 through September 30, 2029 |
Products Covered |
Impact-resistant windows, impact-resistant doors, and impact-resistant garage doors |
Who Applies |
The property owner submits directly to the Florida Department of Revenue |
DOR Processing Time |
Florida DOR must determine eligibility within 30 days of receipt and issue refund within 30 days of approval |
The $500 cap is per residence, not per window or door, and not per year. One refund application per homestead property, for the full program period.
⚠ Important: Commercial properties, investment properties, vacation rentals, and properties without a Florida homestead exemption do not qualify for this refund program.
What Products Are Covered?
The following home hardening items are eligible for the sales tax refund under HB 7031E when installed on an eligible residential property:
Windows that are Impact-Resistant
Impact windows constructed and tested to endure hurricane force wind pressure and impact from windborne debris. Proper testing certification of the products must be provided. Miami-Dade NOA certification is required for properties in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida’s HVHZ (High-Velocity Hurricane Zone). The remainder of the state is eligible for standard Florida Building Code wind-rated items.
Impact-Resistant Doors
Impact resistant sliding glass doors, impact resistant French doors, and impact resistant entrance doors certified for impact resistance and wind pressure according to established testing standards such as ASTM International and AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association). It comprises impact-rated entrance doors, impact-rated patio door systems, and single and double entry door systems.
Impact Resistant Garage Doors
Garage doors inspected and certified for wind pressure and impact resistance according to appropriate requirements. HVHZ garage doors in South Florida must comply with Miami-Dade NOA wind uplift and impact requirements.
[NOTE: Check with the Florida Department of Revenue after they publish information on particular product certification criteria. DOR is likely to release further guidance and perhaps emergency regulations to execute the program. Check floridarevenue.com for updates.
How to Apply for the Florida Impact Window and Door Sales Tax Refund
The Florida Department of Revenue administers the refund program. As of July 1, 2026, the program is active. Here’s the general process based on the legislation, official DOR application forms and detailed instructions are expected to be published on floridarevenue.com:
Step 1 — Purchase qualifying impact windows or doors
Between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2029, buy impact-resistant windows, doors, or garage doors from a licensed contractor or merchant. Keep any receipts, invoices, and evidence of payment, since you will require verification of the sales tax you paid.
Step 2 — Confirm your property qualifies
Make sure your property is eligible for a Florida homestead exemption and has a reasonable value of $700,000 or less. You may check your homestead exemption status and just value at your county property appraiser’s website. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach county appraisers all provide online search capabilities.
Step 3 — Submit your refund application to the Florida DOR
File a refund claim with the Florida Department of Revenue between July 1, 2026 and September 30, 2029. The DOR has 30 days to assess eligibility after receipt of your application and 30 days to provide the refund if approval is granted. The maximum reimbursement is $500 per residential property for the duration of the program.
Step 4 — Monitor DOR guidance for updated forms
The Florida Department of Revenue is authorized to adopt emergency rules to implement this refund program. Visit floridarevenue.com and monitor for the official refund application form and any additional eligibility documentation requirements before applying.
Why This Matters for South Florida Homeowners
Two key causes make impact windows and doors a realistic need, not a luxury update, for South Florida: the hurricane season and the Florida homeowners insurance issue.
1. Hurricane Season Runs June Through November
The United States’ most hurricane-exposed residential markets are Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The HVHZ classification for Miami-Dade and Broward counties is a marker of the highest wind design requirements in the country – and the greatest vulnerability to designated storm activity. In this setting, impact windows and doors are the main protection method for the building envelope. They replace hurricane shutters and provide year-round protection without any storm prep.
2. Insurance Premium Pressure Is Real
Florida’s property insurance market has been under severe stress for years. Many insurers have raised rates and tightened eligibility standards for properties that do not have impact-rated openings. Some South Florida markets provide significant wind-mitigation insurance reductions for upgrading to impact windows and doors, in addition to the new $500 state sales tax rebate.
3. Combined Savings Are Significant
Couple that with the $500 Florida sales tax rebate and possible wind mitigation insurance premium credits over a number of years and the long term financial argument for impact windows and doors is better than it’s ever been. Now is the time to improve if you are a South Florida homeowner and qualify.
What This Refund Does NOT Cover
To avoid surprises when you apply, here’s what the HB 7031E refund program explicitly excludes:
- Commercial properties: the refund is limited to residential homestead properties
- Properties without a Florida homestead exemption: investment homes, second homes, and rental properties do not qualify
- Properties with a just value above $700,000: check your county property appraiser’s assessment
- Standard (non-impact) windows and doors: products must be impact-resistant and meet applicable testing standards
- Labor and installation costs: the refund applies to sales tax on the product purchase, not installation labor
- Purchases made before July 1, 2026, or after June 30, 2029
- Applications submitted after September 30, 2029, the deadline is firm
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Florida sales tax refund for impact windows and doors?
The Florida sales tax refund under HB 7031E is up to $500 per residence for qualifying impact-resistant windows, doors, and garage doors. The $500 cap applies to the total refund per homestead property for the full program period, not per product, per window, or per year.
Who qualifies for the Florida impact window sales tax refund?
To qualify for the Florida home hardening sales tax refund, the property must be a site-built residential home with a Florida homestead exemption and a just value of $700,000 or less. Products must be impact-resistant windows, doors, or garage doors purchased between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2029. Commercial properties, rental properties, and homes without a homestead exemption do not qualify.
When does the Florida impact window tax refund program start?
The Florida home hardening sales tax refund program started July 1, 2026, when Florida HB 7031E took effect following Governor DeSantis’s signature on June 29, 2026. Purchases made on or after July 1, 2026, qualify. The program runs through June 30, 2029, with refund applications accepted through September 30, 2029.
Is this a tax exemption or a tax refund?
This is a sales tax refund, not a point-of-sale exemption. Sales tax is collected at the time of purchase. After the purchase, eligible homeowners submit a refund application to the Florida Department of Revenue to recover up to $500 of the sales tax paid. The Florida DOR must process applications within 30 days and issue approved refunds within an additional 30 days.
Does the refund apply to impact windows installed on a condo?
No. The Florida home hardening sales tax refund under HB 7031E is limited to site-built residential dwellings with a homestead exemption. Condominiums, mobile homes, commercial properties, and investment properties do not qualify under the current program terms.
Can I claim the refund for impact windows installed on a rental property?
No. The refund requires the property to carry a Florida homestead exemption, which only applies to a property owner’s primary residence. Rental properties, second homes, and investment properties are not eligible.
Where do I apply for the Florida impact window sales tax refund?
Refund applications are submitted to the Florida Department of Revenue. Official application forms and detailed instructions are expected to be published at floridarevenue.com. Applications are accepted between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2029. Monitor the DOR website for the official form and any emergency rules implementing the program.
