Florida families can save hundreds of dollars during the state's annual back-to-school sales tax holiday, which runs from July 20 through Aug. 20, 2026. The 32-day tax-free shopping period eliminates sales tax on essential items families need for the new school year, with no sales tax due on qualifying purchases.
Clothing items under $100 per item qualify for the exemption, including shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, uniforms and athletic wear. Backpacks, handbags, diaper bags and fanny packs are tax-free, along with accessories such as wallets, belts, ties and graduation caps and gowns. Excluded items include briefcases, suitcases, watches, jewelry, skis, swim fins, roller blades and any clothing item over $100. School supplies under $50 per item are tax-free, including pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, notebooks, binders, folders, construction paper, poster board, markers, scissors, glue, tape, staplers, lunch boxes and composition books. Computer disks limited to blank CDs also qualify, along with flashcards, learning cards, jigsaw puzzles, puzzle books, interactive books, educational toys, memory and matching games, stacking blocks and educational sets under $30 per item.
Qualifying computers and accessories under $1,500 per item include laptops, desktops, tablets, electronic book readers and calculators. Tax-free accessories include keyboards, mice, monitors without TV tuners, printers, ink cartridges, modems, routers, cables, educational and productivity software, storage devices and memory cards. Computers must be for personal, non-commercial use, as business purchases do not qualify. Items ordered online during the holiday period qualify for the exemption even if delivered after Aug. 20. If shoppers buy an eligible item during the holiday and later exchange it for the same item in a different size or color, no tax applies to the exchange. Gift cards can be used to purchase eligible items during the holiday for the exemption, regardless of when the gift card was purchased.
The tax exemption is not available at theme parks and entertainment complexes, hotels and public lodging establishments, or airports. Florida retailers have no option to opt out of the sales tax holiday, and all qualifying purchases must be processed tax-free during the designated period. A family spending $500 on qualifying items could save $35 in sales tax. Items purchased with rain checks issued during the holiday period remain tax-free, and items qualify for layaway if shoppers take delivery during the holiday or put eligible items on layaway during the holiday even if final payment comes later. Items normally sold together must be purchased as a set and cannot be split up to meet price thresholds.