News Summary
Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is set to run from August 1 to August 31, expanding from previous years. Announced by Governor Ron DeSantis, the initiative aims to ease the financial burden on families by exempting sales tax on eligible clothing, school supplies, and personal computers. While the holiday encourages back-to-school shopping, it excludes purchases made at certain venues. With families expected to spend an average of $890 per student, local promotions further aim to support families as they prepare for the school year.
Tallahassee, Florida – Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday officially kicks off on August 1 and will continue until August 31, marking an expansion from previous years’ shorter duration. This extended holiday aims to ease the financial burden on families as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
The initiative was announced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting families during this back-to-school shopping period. The exemption is authorized under HB 7031, which outlines the types of products eligible for tax-free purchases throughout the month-long event.
Eligible items for tax exemption include clothing, wallets, and bags priced at $100 or less, school supplies that cost $50 or less, and certain learning aids priced under $30. Additionally, personal computers and accessories with a total cost of $1,500 or less will also benefit from this sales tax exemption.
However, the holiday does come with some restrictions. Purchases made at theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishments, or airports are not eligible for the sales tax exemption. Furthermore, the rental or repair of qualifying items will not be tax-free during this holiday period.
This sales tax holiday is particularly significant, considering the financial expectations for back-to-school spending this year. According to data from the National Retail Federation, families are projected to spend an average of $140 per child on basic school supplies. When factoring in costs for clothing and electronics, the total average back-to-school expenses are expected to hover around $890 per student.
In addition to the statewide sales tax holiday, Goodwill stores in Florida are planning promotions to further assist families. During the month of August, select items at Goodwill stores will be offered at 40% off. For loyalty program members, all books and media will be discounted by 50% on specific dates.
Amidst the back-to-school shopping rush, parents in Florida are expressing a variety of sentiments regarding their shopping strategies. Some families prefer to complete their purchasing early, seeking peace of mind before the school year commences. Others take a more gradual approach, opting to shop incrementally throughout August to capitalize on the benefits of the sales tax holiday.
Weather conditions could potentially affect shopping plans, especially in the Tampa Bay area, where meteorologist Ally Blake has issued ongoing heat alerts. The feels-like temperatures in the region are expected to reach up to 109 degrees, creating an uncomfortable environment for shoppers navigating between stores.
This year’s extended back-to-school sales tax holiday presents an opportunity for Florida families seeking to manage their budget as the school year approaches. With the combination of tax-free items and additional sales from local stores, parents will have a range of options to prepare their children for a successful academic year.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tampa Bay Hosts Back-to-School Events with Florida Blue
Florida Lawmakers Approve Permanent Sales Tax Exemptions
Transformations in South Florida’s Retail and Grocery Market
Florida to Eliminate Business Rent Tax by 2025
Florida Repeals Business Rent Tax to Boost Economy
Florida Governor Signs $117.4 Billion Budget with Vetoes
Florida Eliminates 2% Business Rent Tax to Boost Local Economy
Florida Adopts $115 Billion Budget Focused on Tax Cuts
Florida Eliminates Business Rent Tax in Landmark Decision
Florida Lawmakers Approve Fiscal Plan for Businesses
Additional Resources
- Spectrum News 13
- Google Search: Florida Sales Tax Holiday
- My Suncoast
- Wikipedia: Tax Holiday
- Click Orlando
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tax Holiday
- News4Jax
- Google News: Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
