Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday: Know Before You Go!

By

Florida's popular Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday returns in 2025 on Friday, August 1-Sunday, August 31, 2025. And here's some good news–not only will you get an entire month to save, but the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday will now be a permanent annual event in Florida each August, as just signed into law.  

Florida’s popular Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday returns Friday, August 1, through August 31, 2025, to help stock up on school supplies.

The National Retail Federation is estimating the average American family will spend at least $874.68 in preparation for the upcoming school year. While that's down $15 from last year's record high of $890.07, it's still the second-highest spend in the survey's history. This estimate includes the spend on clothing, school supplies, and electronics.

Before you head out the door to shop, there are a few sales tax holiday limitations to keep in mind. The sales tax holiday only applies to certain school supplies priced at $50 or less per item and certain clothing, footwear, and accessories that are $100 or less per item. There is also a new sales tax exemption for learning aids and jigsaw puzzles that are $30 or less.

It also applies to the sales of personal computers and other electronic items you might need for eLearning. You will not be taxed on the first $1,500 of the sales price of a personal computer.

A great time to shop is during the 18th Annual Back to School Fair presented by Hillsborough County Public Schools on Saturday, August 2, from 10 am-2 pm at WestShore Plaza in Tampa!

READ: See a complete list of what qualifies from the Florida Department of Revenue (Link coming soon-we'll post once available)

Notice the keyword ‘certain’. Clothing items priced at $100 or less that qualify include shirts, pants, shorts, and socks. However, items that do not qualify include jewelry, watches, and snow ski boots.

You’ll find most of the traditional school supply items on the tax-exempt list, as long as they are $50 or less per item, but you’ll still pay taxes on items like masking tape, computer and printer paper, staples, and correction pens.

A big question we often hear is whether the tax holiday applies to purchases made online. The answer is yes, eligible items are exempt if purchased within the tax holiday timeframe. You can read more Frequently Asked Questions here, especially if you plan on using the manufacturer’s coupons.

 

MORE Sales Tax Holidays in Florida:

  • Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Tax Holiday: September 8-December 21, 2025
  • Sales tax exemptions on Baby & Toddler Clothing, Shoes, Diapers, and wipes are now permanent.