Florida Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday 2025
The new tax-free holiday in Florida brought month-long savings on computers, clothing and other school supplies.
Updated: The 2025 back-to-school sales tax holiday in Florida has ended.
Floridians are no strangers to tax holidays. But this year, Florida residents were in for something new.
The Sunshine State's annual August sales tax holiday was one month long, thanks to the new Florida sales tax holiday changes for 2025. This meant that many purchases of electronics, clothing, and school supplies were tax-exempt all of August.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Let's look at the ins and outs of this back-to-school tax holiday in 2025.
When was tax-free shopping in Florida?
The annual back-to-school Florida sales tax holiday was one month long — so you had all of August to shop!
The tax-free holiday started on Friday, August 1, and ran through Sunday, August 31, 2025. Many school supplies (including laptops and tablets) and clothing were exempt from Florida’s usual 6% sales tax rate during this time.
Tax-free school supplies in Florida
Shoppers could save on most items under a certain dollar amount. For instance, clothing must have cost $100 or less per item, school supplies must have cost $50 or less, personal computers and tablets $1,500 or less, and learning aids and jigsaw puzzles $30 or less.
There were many school supplies you could purchase tax-free in the state during the sales tax holiday, but here were a few highlights:
- Hats, shoes, shorts, pants, shirts, underwear, socks, and raincoats
- Backpacks, book bags, handbags, purses, and lunch boxes
- Cleated and spiked shoes and swimsuits
- Notebooks, scissors, pens, pencils, and calculators
- Printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, and routers
- Electronic books, flashcards, puzzle books, and matching games
- Hair accessories, wallets, and belts
While many eligible items were included in the one-month Florida tax holiday, there were a few exceptions.
Did Florida’s tax-free holiday apply to online purchases?
Online purchases could qualify, but delivery to a Florida address was required.
Online retailers like Amazon may honor state sales tax holidays. However, the retailer explains on its website that "tax may still be calculated on items if they do not qualify, including threshold limits, bundles, orders placed prior to the holiday starting or specific items that are not included in the holiday."
Related: Back‑to‑School Tax‑Free Deals Hit Walmart & Apple This Summer
What items were not tax-exempt in Florida’s back-to-school holiday?
Accessories like jewelry and watches were not tax-free, nor were many types of athletic gloves. A few additional exclusions applied.
Clothing. Umbrellas and protective masks were taxable, as were roller skates, rented clothing, and non-prescription sunglasses and goggles.
School supplies. Taxable items included printer or computer paper, and books not otherwise exempt.
Electronics. Many electronics were taxable, including computer bags, CDs and DVDs, computers for recreational use, smartphones, surge protectors, tablet covers, game controllers, and digital cameras.
Miscellaneous items. Furniture, luggage, garment bags, suitcases, and any rentals of eligible items were taxable and excluded from the tax-free holiday.
Note: For a complete list of included and excluded items, visit the Florida Department of Revenue website. Most groceries and prescription drugs were already tax-exempt.
Do theme parks and airports participate in the FL tax-free days?
You may have found it harder to save as a tourist. According to Florida’s Department of Revenue, you are taxed on purchases from “a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport" during tax-free holidays.
This rule may be due to the nature of the holiday. The general purpose of a state sales tax holiday is to benefit state residents, though whether sales tax holidays accomplish this effectively is still up for debate.
Read More
-
Fed Vibes Lift Stocks, Dow Up 515 Points: Stock Market TodayIncoming economic data, including the January jobs report, has been delayed again by another federal government shutdown.
-
65 or Older? Cut Your Tax Bill Before the Clock Runs OutThanks to the OBBBA, you may be able to trim your tax bill by as much as $14,000. But you'll need to act soon, as not all of the provisions are permanent.
-
Selling Your Business? Start Planning Two Years in AdvanceWay before selling your business, you can align tax strategy, estate planning, family priorities and investment decisions to create flexibility.
-
Don't Overpay the IRS: 6 Tax Mistakes That Could Be Raising Your BillTax Tips Is your income tax bill bigger than expected? Here's how you should prepare for next year.
-
Oregon Tax Kicker in 2026: What's Your Refund?State Tax The Oregon kicker for 2025 state income taxes is coming. Here's how to calculate your credit and the eligibility rules.
-
3 Retirement Changes to Watch in 2026: Tax EditionRetirement Taxes Between the Social Security "senior bonus" phaseout and changes to Roth tax rules, your 2026 retirement plan may need an update. Here's what to know.
-
IRS Tax Season 2026 Is Here: Big Changes to Know Before You FileTax Season Due to several major tax rule changes, your 2025 return might feel unfamiliar even if your income looks the same.
-
Do You Pay Property Taxes in Tennessee? What You Need to Know in 2026Property Taxes State lawmakers are moving to ban state property taxes, but can they stop the local rate spike? Here's how 2026 could lower your Tennessee property tax bill.
-
12 Tax Strategies Every Self-Employed Worker Needs in 2026Your Business Navigating the seas of self-employment can be rough. We've got answers to common questions so you can have smoother sailing.
-
A Free Tax Filing Option Has Disappeared for 2026: Here's What That Means for YouTax Filing Tax season officially opens on January 26. But you'll have one less way to submit your tax return for free. Here's what you need to know.
-
Georgia Tax Rebate And Income Elimination? What 2026 Could Mean For YouState Tax We break down how lawmakers aim to axe the state income tax and how much you could get in a Georgia tax refund in 2026.
