With the new school year just around the corner, families in the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast areas are already flocking to stores to take advantage of the tax-free back-to-school season, which includes savings and special deals.
In times when inflation is hitting wallets and household budgets are under significant strain, every penny counts.
Fortunately, the state of Florida has launched its anticipated 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which began this Monday, July 20, and will last a full month, until Thursday, August 20.
To help you plan your purchases and ease the financial burden of the season, here’s a breakdown of exactly what you can buy tax-free, what’s excluded, and how to be more strategic with your budget.
What IS tax-exempt?
During this month, Florida law allows no state sales tax to be charged on the following categories, as long as they do not exceed the price limit per item:
- Clothing, footwear, and accessories ($100 or less per item): This includes shirts, pants, shoes, sneakers, uniforms, sweaters, as well as wallets, purses, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags.
- School supplies ($50 or less per item): Pencils, pens, notebooks, folders, calculators, crayons, lunchboxes, and rulers.
- Learning aids ($30 or less per item): Flashcards, memory books, matching games, puzzles, and interactive toys that teach basic skills.
- Personal computers and accessories ($1,500 or less): Tablets, laptops, desktop computers, monitors, keyboards, routers, and hard drives, as long as they are purchased for personal, not commercial, use.
What is NOT tax-exempt?
It’s important to read the fine print, as not everything in stores qualifies for the promotion. You will still pay taxes on:
- Expensive clothing and backpacks: Any clothing, footwear, or backpack costing more than $100.
- Non-qualifying electronics: Cell phones (smartphones), video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices not primarily designed to process data.
- Luggage: Suitcases, briefcases, and garment bags.
- Rentals and repairs: The tax holiday does not apply to rentals or repairs of any eligible items. It also does not apply at theme parks, hotels, or airports.
Tips to Maximize Your Savings
If you live in South Florida, particularly along the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches, you’ll likely notice stores are busier than usual. Here are strategies to make the most of your money:
- Take inventory first: Before rushing to the malls, check your kids’ closets and desks. There may be backpacks in good condition or last year’s supplies that are still usable. Buy only what you need.
- Combine tax-free savings with store sales and coupons: Retailers (like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy) often launch their own back-to-school promotions at the same time. By stacking store discounts with the 6% or 7% you save on taxes, the impact on your final bill will be significant.
- Buy in bulk (if it makes sense): Since the $50 limit on school supplies is per item, you can purchase large quantities of paper, pencils, and notebooks your kids will need all year without paying taxes on any of them.
- Take advantage of online shopping: The tax exemption also applies to online orders, as long as the purchase is made and processed within the eligible dates (July 20 to August 20). This is ideal if you want to avoid long lines at local stores.
- Think ahead: If you know your kids will need winter clothes or a new computer for college in the coming months, now is the time to get a head start on those purchases, even if they won’t be used right away.
This shopping season can be stressful, but with a clear list and by taking advantage of current tax laws, your family will be ready for the first day of school without throwing your household budget off balance. Happy shopping and best wishes for a great school year!
