Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday kicked off today, July 20, and runs through August 20, giving families in Sarasota and Manatee counties a full month to shop for school essentials without paying sales tax. The holiday covers school supplies up to $50 per item, clothing and footwear under $100, computers and computer accessories under $1,500, and learning aids or puzzles under $30. With schools in our area starting August 10, the timing works perfectly. You can buy the basics now, see what your kids’ teachers actually require once school starts, and still have time to fill in any gaps before August 20 without the tax burden.
The state projects that Florida families could save around $217 million collectively during this month, and local retailers are stacking the tax holiday savings on top of their regular promotions. One local parent pointed out that the extended timeline allows families to stretch their budgets and buy extras they might not have planned for originally. Since this is the second year the holiday is permanent state law, you can count on it returning each year as back-to-school season rolls around.
Smart shoppers will keep their receipts organized, watch for the price limits on each category, and plan their shopping around what they know the kids will need before August 10, then fill in the blanks after teachers hand out supply lists. Are you planning to dive into back-to-school shopping this week, or are you waiting until closer to August 10 to see what your kids’ classrooms actually need?
