It’s time once again for that annual back-to-school tradition: the state’s sales tax holiday. Many school supplies purchased during the month of August will be tax free, making them more affordable for families as the new academic year approaches.
Not every expense is applicable, however. For instance, rental or repair of school supplies is not eligible. Neither are sales in theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishments or airports.
Here’s a look at items that will be exempt from the sales tax from Aug. 1 through 31:
Some computers and accessories
This applies to personal computers bought for noncommercial use and costing no more than $1,500. Included are calculators, desktop computers, electronic book readers, handheld devices, laptop computers and tablets.
However, this does not include cell phones, game consoles, digital media receivers or devices that are not primarily designed to process data.
Eligible accessories include keyboards, mice, modems, monitors, nonrecreational software, personal digital assistants and routers. This does not include furniture, monitors with a television tuner, or peripherals that are intended for recreational use.
Some wallets and bags
Items such as backpacks, diaper bags, fanny packs and handbags that cost no more than $100 each.
General school supplies
Eligible school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less apiece include binders, cellophane tape, compasses, composition books, computer disks, construction paper, crayons, erasers, folders, glue or paste, legal pads, lunch boxes, markers, notebooks, notebook filler paper, pencils, pens, poster board, poster paper, protractors, rulers, scissors, staplers and staples used to secure paper products.
Learning aids
Flashcards, interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills, matching or other memory games, puzzle books and search-and-find books, stacking or nesting blocks or sets. Items may not have a sales price greater than $30 apiece.
Clothes
Clothing, footwear and accessories with sales price of no more than $100 per item, including: dresses, pants, shirts, shorts, skirts and other apparel, as well as boots, sandals, shoes and other footwear and accessories such as belts, gloves, hats and scarves.
For further information, go to floridarevenue.com/backtoschool/Pages/default.aspx or watch a short video at youtube.com/shorts/RTZus0sSnGA.
