The month-long tax holiday began on July 20 and is aimed at helping families preparing for the new school year. Parents and students can use the exemption when purchasing items such as school supplies, clothes, footwear, computers, and educational materials, as long as the products meet the eligibility requirements.
Retailers across Florida must apply the sales tax exemption and cannot choose to opt out of the program. The holiday applies only to specific products and price thresholds, meaning shoppers need to check the cost of each item before completing their purchases.
School Supplies and Clothing Included in the Tax Exemption
Most school supplies priced at $50 or less per item are exempt from Florida’s sales tax during the holiday period. The list includes common classroom products such as binders, crayons, markers, lunch boxes, composition notebooks, pencils, glue, and staplers.
Clothing, footwear, and accessories priced below $100 are also included. Shoppers can purchase eligible items such as shorts, boots, belts, gloves, backpacks, and fanny packs without paying sales tax.
According to The Sun, examples of discounted back-to-school products available from retailers include Crayola crayons, dry erase markers, backpacks, mechanical pencils, notebooks, socks, and children’s sneakers. These purchases can qualify for the tax exemption when they remain within the required price limits.
Computers and Learning Materials Receive Tax-Free Status
The sales tax holiday also covers certain electronics used for personal or home purposes. Personal computers and qualifying computer-related accessories priced at $1,500 or less are exempt from sales tax during the event.
Eligible technology products include desktops, laptops, calculators, electronic book readers, and tablets. The exemption does not apply to computers or accessories purchased for commercial use.
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles priced at $30 or less are also included. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, eligible educational products include flashcards, interactive or electronic books, learning toys designed to teach reading or math skills, memory games, puzzle books, and nesting blocks.
Items Excluded From Florida’s Sales Tax Holiday
Some products remain subject to sales tax during the event. Florida’s exemption does not cover items such as briefcases, suitcases, garment bags, watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, and handkerchiefs.
Other excluded products include skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates. Clothing items priced above $100, school supplies costing more than $50, and books that do not qualify under other exemptions are also excluded.
Computers and related accessories priced above $1,500 are not covered, along with cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, and devices that are not primarily designed to process data. Rentals, repairs, and alterations of eligible items are also excluded.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue, purchases made inside theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishments, or airports are not included in the tax holiday. Consumers can review the full list of eligible and excluded items through the department’s official website.
