Florida’s Back to School Tax Free Holiday Runs Through August 20

Florida families can save money on back-to-school shopping as the state’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday returns from July 20 through August 20. The month-long tax holiday gives shoppers more time than ever to purchase school essentials without paying Florida sales tax on qualifying items.

Designed to help families prepare for the new school year, the tax-free holiday covers a variety of everyday necessities, including clothing, school supplies, learning aids, and select computers and computer accessories that meet the state’s price requirements.

What Qualifies for Tax-Free Savings?

During the sales tax holiday, shoppers can purchase eligible items tax-free, including:

• Clothing, footwear, wallets, handbags, backpacks, and other eligible accessories priced at $100 or less per item.
• School supplies such as notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, binders, lunch boxes, rulers, scissors, and calculators priced at $50 or less per item.
• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles priced at $30 or less per item.
• Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories priced at $1,500 or less when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.

Many retailers across Florida, including department stores, office supply stores, warehouse clubs, and online retailers, participate in the tax holiday. Eligible online purchases shipped to a Florida address also qualify for the tax exemption.

Items That Don’t Qualify

Not every purchase is tax-free. Items that remain taxable include clothing priced over $100, school supplies over $50, computers costing more than $1,500, athletic equipment, jewelry, watches, rentals, repairs, and purchases made within theme parks, airports, or certain entertainment complexes.

Tips to Maximize Your Savings

With the tax holiday running for an entire month, shoppers have plenty of opportunities to find the best deals.

• Shop early for the best selection of backpacks, uniforms, and classroom supplies.
• Stack store sales, coupons, and rewards programs with the tax exemption when permitted.
• Compare prices online before heading to the store.
• Save receipts for any returns or exchanges.

The National Retail Federation estimated that families continue to spend hundreds of dollars preparing children for a new school year, making Florida’s tax-free holiday a valuable opportunity to stretch household budgets.

Whether you’re shopping for a kindergartner’s first backpack or a college student’s new laptop, Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday offers significant savings before classes begin.

For a complete list of qualifying items and frequently asked questions, shoppers can visit the Florida Department of Revenue before heading to the checkout.

Ava McDonnell

Ava McDonnell is the Editorial Manager & Digital Content Creator for Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with English BA in 2026. She also has experience in editing using AP Style and SEO guidelines. Originally from Clermont and now in Tampa, Ava loves all things local. Ava has always had a passion for learning about people's lives and sharing accurate stories with the world. She is dedicated to getting the job done right while making content interesting for readers. Aside from writing, you can find her indulging in the great outdoors with the people she loves. Whether it is hiking, taking photographs, or trying new activities, she is up for almost anything.

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