Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday to begin Monday

By Owen Girard

Published Jul. 21, 2023, 10:49 a.m. ET | Updated Jul. 21, 2023

School supplies. (Photo/Adonyig, Pixabay)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The two week back-to-school sales tax holiday that was passed during the 2023 legislative session will take effect July 24 through Aug. 6.

Some of the items that will be tax free include clothing up to $100, school supplies up to $50, learning aids up to $30 and personal computers up to $1,500.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed a second two-week back-to-school sales tax holiday for the spring semester, spanning from Jan. 1 to Jan. 14, 2024.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis highlighted the importance of the back-to-school tax holiday in a statement.

“Getting ready for the new school year can be an expensive time for Floridians, and that is why I’m encouraging Florida families to take full advantage of the back-to-school sales tax holiday,” Patronis said.

“This tax break will help families ensure their children have all the supplies they need to reach their full academic potential this school year,” he continued.

Additionally, Patronis gave a “huge thank you” to the governor and the state legislature for passing and signing the “important” sales tax holiday.

According to Florida TaxWatch President Dominic Calabro, all of these saving ensure that students and teachers are “adequately equipped” for a productive school year.

“Quality education is key to child development and positioning future generations of Floridians for success,” he said in a statement. “Florida TaxWatch thanks Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, not only for reinstituting this timely tax relief, but also for expanding it to four weeks total and thereby giving families additional opportunities to save their hard-earned tax dollars.”

According to the governor’s Framework for Freedom Budget highlights, the sales tax holidays will save Florida families over $160.6 million.

This sales tax exemption comes on top of several other tax holidays that DeSantis signed into law through a $1.3 billion tax relief package in 2023.

“Because of President Biden’s disastrous economic policies, Florida families are feeling the pressure of inflation on their wallets,” the governor said during the signing in May. “But in Florida we are ensuring that our state’s economic success gets passed on to the people that made it possible.”