Going back-to-school shopping? Time to take advantage of Florida’s tax-free holiday

Miami Herald | By Natalie La Roche Pietri | July 19, 2023

Parents, the tax-free holiday is coming up in Florida. You know what that means: Time to do back-to-school shopping for the kids and save big.

Here’s what to know about the holiday:

WHEN IS FLORIDA’S TAX-FREE HOLIDAY?

The 2023 tax holiday begins on Monday, July 24 and ends on Sunday, Aug. 6. There will be a second back-to-school tax-free holiday in 2024, about halfway through the upcoming school year. It’ll begin on Jan. 1, 2024 and end on Jan. 14, 2024.

WHAT ITEMS ARE TAX-FREE?

Electronic devices: Personal computers and accessories of $1,500 or less. This includes:

▪ Electronic book readers

▪ Laptops

▪ Desktop computers

▪ Handhelds

▪ Tablets

▪ Tower computers

▪ Keyboards

▪ Mice

▪ Monitors

▪ Modems

▪ Routers

Florida’s Department of Revenue says that “personal computers” does not include cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers or devices that are not primarily designed to process data.

School supplies: Materials of $50 or less. This includes:

▪ Writing supplies like pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, markers, notebooks, notebook filler paper, legal pads, and composition books

▪ Binders and folders

▪ Project materials like construction paper, poster boards, scissors, cellophane tape, glue, staplers and staples

▪ Lunch boxes

▪ Rulers

▪ Computer disks

▪ Protractors

▪ Compasses

▪ Calculators Bags and clothing:

Items less than $100. This includes:

▪ Wallets or bags (but not briefcases, suitcases and other garment bags)

▪ Handbags

▪ Fanny packs

▪ Diaper bags Clothes and footwear are eligible, but excludes accessories like watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas and handkerchiefs. Skis, swim fins, roller blades and skates are also ineligible.

Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles: Aids and puzzles of $30 or less.

▪ Flashcards or other learning cards

▪ Memory games and matching cards

▪ Puzzle books and search-and-find books

▪ Interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills ▪ Stacking or nesting blocks or sets

FREEDOM SUMMER TAX HOLIDAY TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT

This summer has broken numerous records with how hot it has been and many are finding ways to keep cool, whether that’s a trip to the beach or a backyard water gun fight.

Since May 29, the 2023 Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday has been in full swing for Florida residents to save when they buy water activity supplies.

This includes children’s toys, pool supplies, boating and water activity supplies, admissions and more.

Freedom Summer ends on Sept. 4.

DOES ONLINE SHOPPING EXEMPT TAXES DURING THE HOLIDAY?

Yes, you can do your back-to-school shopping from the comfort of your own home. As long as you place the order during the holiday, no taxes will be added to the eligible items, even if they are delivered after the holiday ends.

WHAT ITEMS ARE EXCLUDED FROM TAX-FREE HOLIDAY?

While you can save big during the holiday, not everything in your cart is eligible. In addition to the price caps that exclude some items from the savings, the holiday also does not apply to:

▪ Computer paper

▪ Correction tape, fluid or pens

▪ Masking tape ▪ Printer paper

▪ Books that are not otherwise exempt

▪ Computers and computer-related accessories purchased for commercial purposes

▪ Rentals of any eligible items ▪ Repairs or alterations of any eligible items

▪ Sales of any eligible items within a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport

CAN I RETURN OR EXCHANGE AN ITEM BOUGHT ON TAX-FREE WEEK?

Returns and exchanges of items bought during tax-free days are accepted, even after the holiday ends, as long as you have a receipt for the item.

If your kid decided she wants the green backpack instead of the blue one after the holiday ends, you can exchange them and not be taxed. The store will honor the sale prices of eligible items bought during the holiday when making an even exchange.