Save money on back-to-school supplies when Florida's tax holiday kicks off

MIAMI - Shopping for back-to-school supplies can add up. From new clothes, shoes and a backpack to essentials like pens, notebooks, folders and markers things, can get expensive.

In addition to shopping early and looking for deals in stores, those looking to save money are urged to take advantage of the state's back-to-school tax holiday which kicks off Monday, July 29 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9.

"Don't get schooled this year. Start your back-to-school shopping now and save big," said Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, in a statement. "Floridians can shop tax-free during the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis made a stop in Aventura Thursday to highlight the tax holiday.

"If you're doing it as a parent, and particularly if you have more than one kid, that adds up very, very quickly. So I appreciate the Legislature stepping up and renewing this. I think it's important that we're able to provide relief for Florida families, particularly given how things have gone up so much," he said.

Retailers have long supported sales-tax holidays to help drive shoppers to stores.

Here are some of the items that will be tax-free:

• Most school supplies selling for $50 or less per item.
• Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories with a sales price of $100 or less per item.
  
• Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for non-commercial home or personal use.
  
• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less.
  

For a full list of eligible tax-free supplies, visit FloridaRevenue.com/BacktoSchool .

According to the state's Department of Revenue, the sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any qualifying item. Also, it does not apply to sales in a theme park or entertainment complex.