Summer is coming to an end, and with fall approaching, it only means one thing: a new school year is just around the corner!
If you’re already shopping for school supplies, stop now. If you haven’t started shopping, you’re in luck. That’s because Florida’s Back-To-School Tax-Free Holiday 2025 is here.
We’ve highlighted items and some requirements for what will be tax-free. It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list. It’s just an overview informing you of the categories for tax-free items.
Keep reading to find out how you can save money for this year’s sales tax holiday.
New Changes to the Florida Sales Tax Holiday 2025
The Florida Sales Tax Holiday is no longer spread out across the year. Previously, the state offered sales tax holidays lasting from a weekend to a couple of weeks.
Now, the sales tax holiday lasts an entire month, beginning on Friday, August 1st, and ending on Sunday, August 31st.
In July 2025, lawmakers made back-to-school tax-free purchases permanent. What that means is, going forward, the back-to-school tax shopping holiday will only take place in August.
Before you head out for back to school shopping this year, try these tips first to save some money:
- Make a plan: create a budget, look for deals and sales, and be an efficient shopper.
- Take inventory of last year’s items to make sure you don’t buy something you don’t need.
- Invest in quality supplies to prevent repeat purchases due to wear and tear.
What Items Make the Back-To-School Tax-Free List
Clothing & Apparel
During the back-to-school sales tax holiday, you won’t pay taxes on purchases of clothing, footwear, wallets, bags, and backpacks with a sales price of $100 or less.
Educational Toys & Games
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less are also exempt. These aids include flashcards and other learning cards, matching or memory games, puzzle books, and search-and-find books.
School Supplies
School supply items need a sales price of $50 or less. They include binders, highlighters, glue, legal pads, lunch boxes, and nearly all forms of pencils and pens.
Technology & Accessories
Last, but not least, personal computers and accessories with a sales price $1500 or less make the list, too. Those items include calculators, computer towers and batteries, flash/jump drives, monitors, mice, keyboards, ink cartridges, and even antivirus software.
What Items Don’t Make the Sales Tax Holiday List
Now that you’re aware of what made the list, here’s what doesn’t.
Briefcases, suitcases, or garment bags are not tax-exempt items. You might fancy a nice Disney or SeaWorld backpack or other theme park school accessories, but those aren’t covered, either.
And while certain electronics, like those mentioned above, are exempt, the list does not include cell phones, video game consoles, or digital media receivers.
If you do choose to purchase a computer during the holiday, it has to be for personal use or used in a “noncommercial” property. A noncommercial property refers to any place that is not used for business or other profit-generating activities.
If you have more questions about what’s covered, you can check out the full list of what is and isn’t allowed here.
How Achieva Can Help You With Back-to-School Shopping
We know that back-to-school expenses can quickly add up. Now’s the perfect time to apply for an Achieva Cash Rewards Mastercard. From buying small school supplies like crayons and pencils, to larger purchases like a laptop or the latest iPad, you can feel confident about your purchases and earn cash back while doing it!
And as the school year ramps up, Achieva Credit Union is here to provide financial assistance designed specifically for teens and college students.
You can open a student checking account that features benefits such as no monthly service charges, graduation rewards, and Apple or Google Pay.
They can even transfer funds using Zelle!
Stop by any of our branches to speak with a member service advisor to open an account today or apply online for a credit card today.
