Florida families can gear up for the new school year with a full month of savings, as Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the return of the state’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. The tax-free period runs from Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 31, offering financial relief on a wide range of school-related items.
The annual tax holiday allows shoppers to purchase essential school supplies, clothing, and technology without paying sales tax, providing much-needed savings during the back-to-school season.
““Proud to deliver additional sales tax holidays, including the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday that begins on August 1. With the new school year just around the corner, Florida families can save on back-to-school shopping during the tax holiday for the entire month of August,” Governor Ron DeSantis said in a press release. “By cutting taxes, empowering parents, and growing our economy, we’re making it easier for people to live, work, and thrive in the Free State of Florida.”
The initiative is part of a broader tax relief package included in Florida’s Fiscal Year 2025–26 budget, which delivers $2 billion in total tax savings. This includes the permanent repeal of the Business Rent Tax and multiple targeted sales tax holidays, with the back-to-school exemption contributing $450 million in savings for residents.
Qualifying Items for the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
The tax exemption covers a wide variety of items used by students and families, including:
School Supplies (priced at $50 or less):
Notebooks, binders, folders
Pens, pencils, erasers
Lunch boxes and art supplies
Clothing and Footwear (priced at $100 or less):
Shirts, pants, jackets, and sweaters
Shoes, socks, and uniforms
Backpacks and other school-related apparel
Learning Aids (priced at $30 or less):
Interactive books
Flashcards
Puzzles and activity kits
Technology for Personal Use (priced at $1,500 or less):
Laptops, desktops, and tablets
Printers and accessories
Flash drives and headphones
All items must be purchased for noncommercial home or personal use to qualify for the exemption.
Florida’s ongoing low unemployment rate, combined with its AAA credit rating and one of the lowest per-capita tax burdens in the country, continues to support its efforts to provide financial relief to residents.
For complete details and lists of eligible items, visit the Florida Department of Revenue’s official site at: FloridaRevenue.com/BackToSchool.