WEST PALM BEACH — Florida shoppers will get one month free of state sales tax on many back-to-school purchases when the annual tax holiday begins July 20 and continues through Aug. 20. The extended window — now written into state law as a permanent measure — aims to give families and retailers predictable savings and planning time ahead of the new school year.
What residents need to know
The Florida Department of Revenue sets per-item price caps for the exemption. Items that exceed those limits remain taxable. Local school districts in South Florida already have start dates scheduled for the 2026-2027 school year, with several Palm Beach and Treasure Coast districts beginning classes as early as Aug. 10, so the tax break overlaps much of the back-to-school buying period.
- When: July 20–Aug. 20
- Applies to: Clothing, footwear, school supplies, certain learning aids and personal computers that meet price limits
- Not covered: Items over the price caps, cell phones, video game consoles and some purchases inside entertainment complexes
Price limits and examples
The Department of Revenue has published maximum per-item prices that determine eligibility. Below is a concise summary:
| Category | Maximum per item |
|---|---|
| Clothing, footwear & accessories | $100 |
| School supplies | $50 |
| Learning aids | $30 |
| Personal computers & accessories | $1,500 |
Examples of covered items include shirts, pants, backpacks, pens, notebooks, educational flashcards and noncommercial laptops, tablets and monitors that fall at or below the stated limits. Purchases that exceed the thresholds will be subject to the normal state sales tax.
Retailers prepare; some marketing targets the exemption
Retailers have begun promoting merchandise timed to the tax-exempt window. Best Buy, for example, has created a dedicated page with links to computers and calculators aimed at customers shopping during the exemption, telling shoppers:
"Cancel the deal hunt. We've got you covered."
For families, the permanence of the monthlong holiday removes the uncertainty of prior years when the exemption lasted anywhere from a few days to two weeks. That predictability should make bulk purchases and price comparisons easier for budget-conscious households.
What shoppers should watch for
Shoppers should review price tags carefully at checkout. The exemption applies per item, not to combined purchases, and retailers are required to apply the tax break only to qualifying items. Major electronics that exceed $1,500, cellular phones, video-game consoles and purchases inside theme parks or certain entertainment venues remain taxable.
Consumers with questions about specific items can consult guidance from the Florida Department of Revenue or ask their retailer before completing a purchase to confirm whether an item is eligible for the exemption.
— Mateo Rivera, Florida Correspondent
