Lyndsay Fogarty
This weekend, Floridians can purchase a variety of back-to-school items without having to pay the usual required sales tax. But before you head to the store from Aug. 4 to Aug. 6, get familiar with the rules and make a plan.
What can I buy?
The sales tax holiday applies to:
1. Clothing, footwear and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item
2. Certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item
3. Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories selling for $750 or less per item, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use
The sales tax holiday does not apply to:
1. Any item of clothing selling for more than $60
2. Any school supply item selling for more than $15
3. Books that are not otherwise exempt
4. Personal computers and computer-related accessories purchased for commercial purposes
5. Rentals or leases of any eligible items
6. Repairs of alterations of any eligible items
7. Sales of any eligible items in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport
For a full list of exempt and taxable items in all categories, visit www.FloridaRevenue.com
Do you have any tips?
1. Be prepared for crowds. Everyone wants a deal so stores will be pretty packed all weekend long.
2. Many retailers will have BOGO offers and other deals that are unlikely to repeat during the school year. Take advantage of them!
3. Make a detailed shopping list based off of your child’s school requirements. Then check out store websites at and note any deals that are listed for each item. The more organized you are, the better.
4. You can shop online, too. Sales tax will not be charged on eligible items that are ordered online even if those items are delivered after the sales tax holiday ends.
5. You can use a rain check to purchase an eligible item regardless of when the rain check was issued. However, if you are issued a rain check during the sales tax holiday, it will not qualify an eligible item for the exemption if that item is purchased after the sales tax holiday period.
Is Florida the only state with a sales tax holiday?
No, there are several states that offer residents a sales tax exemption for certain school supplies. However, the dates and exempt items vary by state.
To see if your state is offering a sales tax holiday and to view the list, visit www.FreeTaxWeekend.com
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