Florida's annual back-to-school sales tax holiday kicked off Monday and runs through Thursday, Aug. 20, allowing shoppers to purchase qualifying items without paying Florida's sales tax. The tax holiday covers clothing, footwear, and accessories priced at $100 or less per item, including shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, boots, and accessories like belts and hats.
School supplies under $50 per item are tax-free, covering notebooks, pencils, binders, markers, scissors, and lunch boxes. Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles priced at $30 or less are included, such as flashcards, educational toys, and puzzle books.
Personal computers and related accessories under $1,500 qualify for the tax exemption, including laptops, tablets, desktops, electronic book readers, and accessories like keyboards, mice, monitors, and routers. Cell phones, video game consoles, and recreational devices don't qualify. Wallets and bags under $100 per item are also covered, including backpacks, handbags, and fanny packs, though briefcases and suitcases are excluded.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the tax holiday into law as part of the state's effort to help families manage back-to-school expenses. The tax holiday doesn't apply to rentals or repairs of qualifying items, and purchases made at theme parks, entertainment complexes, hotels, or airports are excluded from the exemption.