Get ready for the new school year by taking advantage of Florida’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. The savings are greater, and the sales period is longer -- the entire month of August. A long menu of essential items qualifies, and you can shop in person or online.
How the Florida Sales Tax Holiday Works
Not every item you might associate with school is eligible for the sales tax waiver. They include briefcases, watches, sports items, jewelry, books not otherwise exempt, and any item above the set price caps. Here are some limits:
- Clothing, footwear, and accessories: $100 or less per item
- School supplies: $50 or less per item
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles: $30 or less per item
- Personal computers and computer accessories: $1,500 or less per item, and only for personal, not business, use
Good news: Online purchases are also eligible for the tax exemption as long as your shipping address is in Florida and you buy during August. Items sold on Amazon, Target, Kohl’s, and other retail websites qualify for the same tax breaks that local stores offer.
More good news: Each purchase you make with your Daily Rewards checking account from Tropical Financial Credit Union earns 2 cents, with the money deposited into your account the next day. The account has no minimum deposit or balance requirements.
How to Shop During the Sales Tax Holiday
Here are eight tips on how to save the most money:
- Make a detailed shopping list. Review the supply list your child’s school provides. You can probably find it on the school’s website. If not, Good Housekeeping has lists for every grade and college. And Cnet has recommendations ranging from tech gizmos to water bottles. Buy only what you need to avoid overspending and cap the total budget.
- Compare prices before you buy. Use online tools or apps such as Google Shopping, Shopzilla, PriceGrabber, and ShopSavvy (barcode scanner) to track prices at major retailers in advance. Find the lowest prices and buy while the items are in stock.
- Shop online first. Amazon, Target, and Kohl’s have a larger selection and inventory on their websites and at their stores. Caution: The shipping address must be in Florida, and purchases must be completed during August.
- Stay within price and regulatory limits. Discover a cool pair of sneakers? It must cost $100 or less to qualify for the tax exemption. Find a powerful, slickly designed laptop? It and accessories must cost $1,500 or less and be solely for personal, not commercial use. The Florida Department of Revenue website has full details on dollar limits and exclusions.
- Divide and conquer the purchases: Florida’s rules apply to each school-related transaction, so split up orders when needed. Example: Separately buy multiple tech devices to stay below the $1,500 cap.
- Time your purchases. High demand and stiff competition make it likely that retailers will offer discounts timed to the tax-free holiday. Use coupons, watch for one-day sales from retailers, especially online sites, and register for email alerts or download store apps for price-drop notifications.
- Buy for the entire school year. Purchase enough supplies like pens, paper, and uniforms to last from August to June. Your list should include lower-priced items like notebooks and markers that fit under the $50 limit and more expensive items like wallets, purses, and backpacks that are capped at $100 each.
- Keep Your Receipts. Not everything on your shopping list may be eligible for sales tax exemptions. Check each receipt to ensure the sales tax is waived only for qualifying items. Promptly dispute any errors.