Florida launches month-long back-to-school sales tax holiday
Key Points(5)
- Florida shoppers can purchase a range of back-to-school essentials without paying state sales tax as the state’s 2026 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday begins Monday, July 20.
- The tax holiday, approved by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, runs through Thursday, August 20 , allowing families to save on qualifying school supplies, clothing, learning materials and certain technology items.
- The Florida Department of Revenue said the initiative is intended to provide tax relief for families preparing for the upcoming school year.
- Under the programme, personal computers and related accessories priced at $1,500 or less are exempt from sales tax when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
- Eligible technology items include desktops, laptops, tablets, electronic book readers, calculators and tower computers.
Florida shoppers can purchase a range of back-to-school essentials without paying state sales tax as the state’s 2026 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday begins Monday, July 20.
The tax holiday, approved by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, runs through Thursday, August 20, allowing families to save on qualifying school supplies, clothing, learning materials and certain technology items.
The Florida Department of Revenue said the initiative is intended to provide tax relief for families preparing for the upcoming school year.
Under the programme, personal computers and related accessories priced at $1,500 or less are exempt from sales tax when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
Eligible technology items include desktops, laptops, tablets, electronic book readers, calculators and tower computers. Qualifying computer accessories include keyboards, mice, modems, monitors, routers and certain nonrecreational software.
The exemption does not apply to items such as cell phones, video game consoles, digital media receivers or devices primarily designed for entertainment.
Families can also purchase school supplies priced at $50 or less per item without sales tax. Eligible items include notebooks, binders, pencils, pens, crayons, folders, rulers, scissors, lunch boxes, calculators, glue, construction paper and other classroom essentials.
The holiday also covers clothing, footwear and accessories priced at $100 or less per item, including shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, sandals, hats, belts and scarves.
Additionally, bags and wallets priced at $100 or less qualify for the exemption, including backpacks, handbags, diaper bags and fanny packs. Briefcases, suitcases and garment bags are excluded.
Educational materials and learning aids priced at $30 or less are also exempt. These include flashcards, interactive educational books and toys, memory games, puzzle books and learning blocks.
The tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of eligible items. Purchases made at theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishments or airports are also excluded.
The Department of Revenue has provided information and promotional materials for consumers, retailers and other interested parties to help shoppers understand which items qualify during the tax-free period.
