The 2022 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is happening again this year from July 25 – August 7, 2022. No longer just a tax free weekend in Florida – it has been expanded to 14 days!
We’ve got all the details you need to know to save money on your back-to-school shopping. These are dates that you can purchase clothing, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies without paying the sales tax (7% here in Polk County).
Many attraction closures and event postponements have been announced beginning September 27 due to Hurricane Ian. We are editing our calendar and articles if we receive notice of event changes, but please be sure to check directly with organizers to confirm any events or activities through October 9. A link is provided at the bottom of every event on our calendar and in all articles.
2022 FL Tax Free Weeks
Other FL Tax Free Week Holidays include:
- Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from May 28 – June 10, 2022 to save money on Hurricane Supplies
- Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday from July 1 – July 7, 2022 to save on camping gear, kayaks, snorkeling gear, fishing rods, outdoor supplies, sports equipment, concert tickets, annual museum memberships, sporting events, plays, gym memberships, and more.
- Tool Time Sales Tax Holiday from September 3 – September 9, 2022 to save on for specified tools commonly used by skilled trade workers including power tools, hand tools, gloves, etc.
Learn more in our article on all 4 of Florida’s Sales Tax Weekends. These tax free weekends are part of HB 7071 passed by the Florida Legislature in 2022.
Here are the important details for the 2022 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday in Florida:
DATES:
Begins on Monday, July 25, 2022 at 12:01 a.m.
Ends on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
WHAT IS TAX-FREE:
- Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $100 or less per item (Clothing, wallets, or bags, including handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags. Excludes briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags) Note this is ANY item of clothing on the allowed list, including clothing and footwear for adults. (Raised from $60 in 2021 to $100 for 2022)
- School uniforms less than $100 per item
- Certain school supplies selling for $50 or less per item: pencils, erasers, crayons, notebooks, notebook filler paper, legal pads, binders, lunch boxes, construction paper, markers, folders, poster board, composition books, poster paper, scissors, cellophane tape, glue or paste, rulers, computer disks, staplers and staples used to secure paper products, protractors, compasses, and calculators
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles that cost $30 or less per item: flashcards or other learning cards, matching or other memory games, puzzle books and search-andfind books, interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills, and stacking or nesting blocks or sets. (NEW in 2022)
- The first $1,500 of the sales price of personal computers or personal computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. (Raised from $1,000 in 2021 to $1,500 for 2022)
The Department of Revenue publishes a full list of eligible items each year – click here to check for the full list.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
Gift Cards – The sale of a gift card is never taxable. Eligible items purchased during the holiday period using a gift card will qualify for the exemption, regardless of when the gift card was purchased. Eligible items purchased with a gift card after the holiday period are taxable, even if the gift card was purchased during the holiday period.
Exchanging a Purchase after the Holiday Expires – When a customer purchases an eligible item during the holiday period, then later exchanges the item for the same item (e.g., different size or different color), no tax will be due even if the exchange is made after the holiday period. If an item is returned for a credit and a replacement purchased with the credit as a separate transaction after the holiday, sales tax will be due.
Coupons, Discounts, and Rebates – If a coupon/discount offered by the retail seller brings the item under $100, it will be tax-free. A manufacturer’s coupon that brings an item under $100 will likely mean you owe sales tax. This is a bit confusing, if something falls around the $100 threshold, ask before you purchase.
Mail-Order, Catalog, or Online Sales – Eligible items purchased by mail order, catalog, or online are tax-free when the order is accepted by the company during the holiday period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the holiday period.
Excluded Locations – Sales of any eligible items in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport. Some retailers can also choose to opt out of the sales tax holiday, full details can be obtained via DOR.