Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Weeks: July 24 – August 6, 2023 AND January 1 – 14, 2024

The 2023 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is happening again this year from July 24 – August 6, 2023. No longer just a tax free weekend in Florida – it has been expanded to 14 days! There is also a SECOND back to school sales tax week scheduled for the middle of the school year from January 1 – January 14, 2024.

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, school supplies, and other qualifying items without paying the sales tax (7% here in Polk County).

Florida also has multiple other tax free weeks this summer when you can save on camping gear, kayaks, snorkeling gear, fishing rods, outdoor supplies, sports equipment, concert tickets, annual museum memberships, sporting events, plays, gym memberships, batteries, coolers, generators, power tools, and more. Plus permanent sales tax exemptions on diapers, wipes, baby gear, clothing for ages 5 & under, and more. These tax free weekends are part of HB 7063 passed by the Florida Legislature in 2023. Learn more about all of Florida’s Sales Tax Weeks.

2023 Florida Back to School Sales Tax Holiday Details

DATES: 

Begins on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 12:01 a.m.
Ends on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
(And again January 1 – 14, 2024)

WHAT IS TAX FREE IN FLORIDA: 

• 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.
• 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.
• The first $1,500 of the sales price of personal computers or personal computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. This includes ebook readers and tablets.

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.

Click here to check for a full list of what is taxable and non-taxable during the Florida School Tax Free Weekend from the Florida Department of Revenue. The list is typically updated mid-summer for the upcoming sales tax holiday.

2023 FL Tax Free Weeks

Other FL Tax Free Week Holidays include:

• Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays from May 27 – June 9, 2023 AND August 26 – September 8, 2023 to save money on Hurricane Supplies
• Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday from May 29 – September 4, 2023 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 2 – September 8, 2023 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.

Florida Sales Tax FAQ’s