Home Care In Holiday, FL

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida's monthlong back-to-school sales tax holiday started July 20, giving families a chance to save on school supplies — including clothing, shoes, backpacks, computers and other eligible items — as they prepare for the new school year.

State officials estimate that the tax holiday helped parents save approximately $450 million statewide last year. This year's holiday runs until Aug. 20.

The savings come at a time when many families are facing higher back-to-school costs. According to the National Education Association, parents are expected to spend between $500 and $900 per child on school supplies this year. Prices for some common school items have increased by 17% to 43%, making tax-free shopping especially valuable.

Retailers such as Walmart and other major stores have been stocking shelves for weeks with notebooks, pencils, folders, glue sticks and other classroom essentials. While every school provides its own supply list, many retailers also make local school supply lists available to help families shop more efficiently.

Many parents are also changing the way they shop. Instead of purchasing everything in a single trip, some are spreading their purchases throughout the month to take advantage of sales and better manage their budgets.

Breeana Prayon, who is shopping for her nieces, said she plans to use the entire tax holiday to gradually purchase supplies.

"If I see something that I know they'll like, I'll use that," she said. "I'll use the whole month to wait until I can afford to buy a good amount of that stuff and I'll give it to them so they can be ahead and be prepared to learn."

Some of the biggest price increases this year have been for shoes, backpacks and school uniforms. Because these items often cost more than basic supplies, families may see greater savings during the tax holiday.

The sales tax exemption covers a wide range of qualifying items. Clothing, shoes and backpacks priced at $100 or less are eligible for tax-free purchase throughout the holiday. Personal computers and computer-related items also qualify, provided they cost less than $1,500.

For more information about the items exempted from sales tax, families can review the complete list compiled by the Florida Department of Revenue.

Unlike in prior years, Best Buy has set up in advance a webpage linking back-to-school deals tied to Florida's month-long sales tax "holiday" that begins Monday.

"Cancel the deal hunt. We've got you covered," the page states with links to laptops, desktops, computer accessories and calculators.

Representing the Florida Retail Federation, Amanda Bevis credited lawmakers with making the sales tax holiday a permanent fixture in state law.

"That allows retailers to plan ahead, not only in their sales, but in their marketing and promotions," Bevis said.

The discount holiday, first offered as a seven-day period in 1998 when sales taxes were lifted on only certain clothing valued $50 or less, was firmly put into state statutes last year as a recurring event to run throughout August.

Previously, the discount period was annually approved at varying lengths from three to 14-days, and some years, most recently 2009, the holiday wasn't offered.

For this year, lawmakers moved the discount dates to July 20 through Aug. 20.

The retail lobbying organization credits the change of dates with helping consumers facing affordability issues tie in the state holiday with annual back-to-school discounts offered by businesses.

"Now they can combine what offers are in retail stores with the additional tax savings made available through the tax holiday," Bevis said.

During the upcoming holiday, sales taxes will be lifted on select clothes priced $100 or less, school supplies $50 or less, learning aids $30 or less, and personal computers and accessories priced $1,500 or less.

Legislative staff this year didn't estimate the savings when the tax package was introduced in the regular session and later revived and approved in the special session in May.

In 2025, with the same discount benchmarks, legislative economists projected the savings would hit around $217 million.

The next tax holiday offered under the tax package (HB 7031E) is on hunting, fishing and camping equipment, beginning Sept. 1 and continuing until the end of the year.

Legislative staff projected that discount period will cut revenue to the state by $31.2 million and local governments collectively by $8.8 million.

July 20-Aug. 20 back-to-school "holiday" savings

Exempt clothing valued at $100 or less:

Exempt computers and computer-related accessories valued $1,500 or less:

The "holiday" doesn't cover:

*Source: Florida Department of Revenue

In:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capitol Bureau) - Florida’s sales tax holiday on school supplies and electronics is happening right now and will run through the next month.

This means you won’t pay taxes on certain items when you check out. Businesses across the state say the new timing of the sales tax holiday is far better than in the past.

Now that the sales tax holiday has moved to the month right before school starts, stores like Kids Pointe Resale and Boutique in Tallahassee are planning their own sales that could benefit you or your family.

According to the Florida Department of Revenue, there is no sales tax on many school items like backpacks, clothes, notebooks and more.

But even if you aren’t a student or parents, you can still benefit. There is no sales tax on laptops or computers less than $1,500, or the accessories that go with your devices.

The Florida Retail Federation says 60% of shoppers are already thinking about back to school spending and you don’t need to save your receipts or claim any rebate.

“I do think it’s a sweet spot. I think it’s advantageous to consumers that the sales tax holiday is starting sooner because nationally, the forecasts show that 60% or more families have already started their shopping,” Florida Retail Federation spokesperson Amanda Bevis said. “So, the earlier this sales tax is, the more likely that consumers can benefit.”

Florida Representative Allison Tant is organizing another school supply drive for Jefferson County. She says she prefers the new holiday schedule, which allows parents to get the tax break right before the next school year.

“All that stuff has gotten more expensive, not to mention homeowner’s insurance,” Tant said. “So, it’s nice to have a break and this is one thing that the legislature’s made permanent. So, I’m grateful for it.”

The sales tax holiday runs through August 20. Which means, in Tallahassee for example, you’d save seven cents on every dollar you spend on each eligible item.

“Students these days are sometimes required to have computers or smart books. And so with this sales tax holiday, students, families, anyone can save on the purchase of eligible items all month long from July 20th through August 20th,” Bevis said.

There will be another sales tax holiday for hunting, fishing and camping starting on September 1.

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday began Monday, July 20, giving families a break on supplies needed for the new school year. The holiday runs through Aug. 20.

During the holiday, sales tax will not be charged on most school supplies, clothing, personal computers and accessories, learning aids, and jigsaw puzzles — each up to certain price limits.

Some shoppers were already hitting stores Monday to take advantage of the month-long window. “When we’re not paying the taxes on it, it allows us to get an extra shirt or two or some jeans or shoes or whatever it may be, so it actually helps with the spending,” said Shaelyn Summer, a local parent.

Summer said the break can make it easier to stock up without overspending. “Take advantage of it — we can grab a backpack or some notebooks or some pencils and it’s not going to break the bank for those little things,” she said. “Kids, they don’t need a whole lot but it is fun to get out there and just get a new outfit or two, give them the confidence that they need to go back to school.”

She also said the longer holiday helps families adjust after school begins. “A lot of times they have their list initially but then when the kids go back to school you can see what they actually have,” Summer said. “So having this extension — they haven’t had before — it’s lasting all month. Once the kids are back in school we can finalize those lists.”

During the holiday, sales tax will not be charged on:

Some items are excluded from the exemption, including briefcases and suitcases, jewelry and watches, certain sports gear, and any items exceeding the price thresholds listed above. Items purchased for commercial purposes are also excluded. The exemption does not apply to rentals, repairs or alterations, or purchases made inside theme parks, public lodging establishments or airports.

A full list of what items qualify can be found at floridarevenue.com.

Florida’s sales tax holiday was first offered as a seven-day period in 1998. Lawmakers have approved it in varying lengths over the years, with some years offering no holiday at all. Last year, the event was written into state statutes as a recurring annual holiday running through August.

Amanda Bevis, representing the Florida Retail Federation, credited lawmakers for making the tax holiday permanent and said it pairs well with store promotions. “Now they can combine what offers are in retail stores with the additional tax savings made available through the tax holiday,” Bevis said.

Using the same discount benchmarks as 2025, legislative economists project total savings could reach about $217 million, according to the Department of Revenue. Legislative staff also projected the holiday would reduce revenue by $31.2 million for the state and $8.8 million collectively for local governments.

ABC7, in partnership with Carl Reynolds’s Law, is hosting a back-to-school drive benefiting students in the Sarasota County School District and the School District of Manatee County on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Many schools, including those in Manatee County and Sarasota County, begin classes on Monday, Aug. 10.

Sarasota County Schools made its annual Back-2-School guide available to families at the beginning of July. In addition to general helpful tips, the online guide feature supply lists from their traditional public schools and highlights important changes taking effect this school year, such as a new transportation app and some new school start times. The online guide can be found here: www.sarasotacountyschools.net/o/scs/page/back-2-school.

Spirit Christmas, a Spirit Halloween store spin-off, is expanding into Florida for the first time this year with four new stores this year.

The stores are spread across the state at the following locations, according to the company’s website:

The Winter Garden location will open in October, while the Clearwater, Coral Springs, and Jacksonville stores are slated to open in November, the website said. Official opening dates weren't provided for any of the stores.

Much like Spirit Halloween, the company has positioned Spirit Christmas as the go-to spot for holiday decorations (including inflatables), festive apparel, stocking stuffers and other seasonal necessities.

“Make this holiday season unforgettable with Spirit Christmas in Florida. From string lights and stocking stuffers to wreaths and inflatable lawn décor, we've got everything you need for a hassle-free holiday season,” the company’s website said. “Florida knows how to do the holidays right. At Spirit Christmas, you'll find an inviting atmosphere full of indoor and outdoor décor, gifting essentials, Christmas sweaters, party supplies, and more.”

Spirit Halloween, owned by Spencer Gifts, launched the Spirit Christmas concept in 2024 with a handful of pilot stores in the Northeast.

"We're hopeful it will resonate with our customers," the company told ABC News when the stores first opened. "Our goal is to create a festive retail experience that captures the spirit of the season, much like we do for Halloween."

The Spirit Christmas concept grew to 30 stores in 2025, with locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, First Coast News reported last year.

This year, Spirit Christmas will open 38 stores in 15 states, including the four in Florida, the Palm Beach Post said. In addition to the Sunshine State, the concept is also moving into North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia for the first time.

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