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
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

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
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Kate is a CPA with experience in audit and technology. As a Tax Writer at Kiplinger, Kate believes that tax and finance news should meet people where they are today, across cultural, educational, and disciplinary backgrounds.
-
These Stocks Dipped in 2025. Do They Have Value?
If you are looking to add new long-term positions to your portfolio, as you should, this is the time to examine stocks that the market shuns.
-
Striking Gold (or Gas): A Financial Pro Unpacks the Nuances of Energy Investing
Investing in the energy industry, particularly oil and gas, involves understanding the facts about how projects generate returns through cash flow and long-term asset building, while also being aware of the risks.
-
Florida Residents Could Soon Get Property Tax Relief
Property Tax The push for a solution to end high property taxes could lead to significant tax cuts in the Sunshine State next year.
-
New Tax Rules: Income the IRS Won’t Touch in 2025
Income Taxes From financial gifts to Roth withdrawal rules, here’s what income stays tax-free under the new Trump 2025 tax bill, and some information on what’s changed.
-
Three Popular Tax Breaks Are Gone for Good in 2026
Tax Breaks Here's a list of federal tax deductions and credits that you can't claim in the 2026 tax year. Plus, high-income earners could get hit by a 'surprise' tax bill.
-
Tax Brackets 2025 Quiz: How Much Do You Know?
Quiz Test your knowledge of IRS rules that impact how much money you keep in your wallet.
-
About 40% of Heirs Say They Can’t Afford an Inherited Home
Estate Planning The ‘Great Wealth Transfer’ may not help with high property taxes, soaring homeownership costs, and liquidity issues in 2025.
-
Retirees Face a Growing Capital Gains Tax Trap: What's Next?
Home Sales A changing housing market and unchanged IRS exclusion amounts can add up to a headache for many homeowners. Will Congress offer a fix?
-
New York Inflation Refund Checks Are Coming Soon: What to Know Now
Tax Relief Inflation relief checks are on the way for over 8 million New York taxpayers. Here's a full breakdown of who gets a payment and when you may expect yours.
-
IRS Phasing Out Paper Checks: What Happens After September 30?
Tax Changes Avoid delays when IRS tax refunds and Social Security paper checks are cut off. Here’s what to know.