FLORIDA — As staff and students get ready to zip up their bags and head back to class, parents in Florida can reap major savings over the next few weeks on school supplies. From now until Aug. 6, select school supplies can be purchased without sales tax.
What You Need To Know
- The tax holiday for school supplies runs twice a year: once in July and again once in January
- Clothing, supplies and computers are eligible
- Parents interested in taking home savings should check guidelines closely to make sure what they’re buying applies
- Find more details on Florida’s tax holiday
- Get the latest back-to-school news going on in the Tampa Bay area
Under Florida’s tax holiday, clothing and footwear are tax-free if the individual item is under $100.
Likewise, school supply items are tax-free until Aug. 6 if the individual item is $50 or less. These items include but are not limited to: pens, paper, binders, markers, notebooks or calculators.
"It's very helpful. There's a lot going on in the world right now with economics and everything. A lot of people don't have a lot of extra funds right now, so with the tax-free weekend and events like this, giving away free supplies, it works out great,” said Daniel Rouson, a parent who spoke with Spectrum News.
Many parents have said the savings will be most beneficial when buying new clothes and shoes for their children.
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles also apply, however, these items cannot be purchased at stores like those inside theme parks or airports.
Computers and computer accessories can be purchased tax-free, though these need to be under $1,500. Included in the category are laptop bags, game systems (including video game consoles), batteries and cell phones.
Find more details on Florida’s tax holiday.
The tax-free holiday will come around again in January, once parents need to replenish their children’s school supplies.