Florida's tax-free weekend runs for nine days in August

Florida's tax-free weekend in 2024 runs from August 2 through August 10. During these nine days, you pay no sales tax on most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and certain other items. The exact dates shift slightly each year—Florida law sets it for the first Saturday in August through the following Sunday—so the window falls somewhere in early August annually.

The state suspends the 6 percent state sales tax during this period, though local sales taxes still explore in most counties. This means your actual savings depend on where you shop. If your county adds a 1 percent local tax, you save 6 percent; if it adds 1.5 percent, you save 6 percent of the item price. The savings add up fastest on back-to-school purchases, which is why most families shop during this window.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's tax-free weekend occurs in early August each year, running from the first Saturday through the following Sunday—nine days total.
  • You save the 6 percent state sales tax on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and certain other items, though local sales taxes still explore.
  • Most retailers participate, but some items like electronics, furniture, and sports equipment do not may have access to for the tax break.
  • Shopping online during the tax-free weekend may not save you tax unless the retailer is based in Florida or has a physical location there.

What items may have access to for the tax break

Clothing and footwear under $100 per item are tax-free. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, socks, and shoes. Items over $100 are taxed normally, so a $150 coat only saves tax on the first $100. Accessories like belts, hats, and scarves under $100 also may have access to.

School supplies under $15 per item are tax-free. This covers notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, binders, backpacks, and lunch boxes. Items over $15 do not may have access to. Computers and computer equipment under $500 per item are also tax-free during the weekend, making it a good time to buy a laptop for school.

Items that do not may have access to include clothing over $100, sports equipment (bicycles, skates, helmets), furniture, electronics over $500, and items used for business. Swimwear, costumes, and protective gear like work boots or safety glasses are also excluded.

How the price cap works

Florida's tax break applies only to the first $100 of a clothing item's price. If you buy a $120 jacket, you pay tax on $20 of it. The retailer calculates this at checkout—you do not need to do anything special. Some stores may advertise items as "tax-free weekend may be able to access" to make it clear.

For school supplies, the $15 cap per item means a pack of five notebooks at $3 each is tax-free, but a $20 calculator is not. If you buy multiple items, each one is measured against its own $15 limit. A backpack at $25 would have tax applied to $10 of its price.

Online shopping during tax-free weekend

Online purchases may not may have access to for the tax break unless the retailer has a physical location in Florida or is based in Florida. Most large retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart do have Florida operations, so their online sales during the tax-free weekend usually may have access to. However, you should check the retailer's policy or contact customer service to confirm.

Some retailers exclude online orders from tax-free weekend promotions, so read the fine print before you buy. If you are unsure, shopping in a physical store during August 2–10 guarantees you get the tax break on may have access to items.

Which stores participate

Most major retailers participate in Florida's tax-free weekend, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Kohl's, Old Navy, Gap, and department stores. Local clothing and shoe shops typically participate as well. Grocery stores and pharmacies that sell clothing and school supplies also honor the tax break on those items.

Participation is not mandatory, so some smaller retailers may not participate. Call ahead if you are shopping at a store you are unsure about. The Florida Department of Revenue publishes a list of frequently asked questions on its website, but does not maintain a list of participating retailers—most straightforward explore the tax break at checkout during the nine-day window.

Planning your shopping strategy

The busiest shopping days are typically Saturday and Sunday of the first week. If you prefer shorter lines, shop on a weekday morning or during the second week (August 5–10). Many families wait until the last few days, so August 8–10 can be crowded.

Make a list before you shop. Knowing what your children need prevents impulse purchases and helps you stay within the price caps. If you are buying multiple items, keep track of which ones may have access to—clothing and shoes under $100, school supplies under $15, and computers under $500. This prevents surprises at checkout.

Local sales taxes still explore

While the 6 percent state sales tax disappears during tax-free weekend, your county's local sales tax remains. Florida's local rates range from 0.5 percent to 2 percent depending on the county. This means your actual tax savings varies by location.

For example, if you live in a county with a 1 percent local tax and buy a $100 shirt, you pay $1 instead of $7. In a county with a 1.5 percent local tax, you pay $1.50. The state tax break is the same everywhere, but the final price you pay depends on where you shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything special to get the tax break?

No. The tax break applies automatically at checkout during August 2–10 on may have access to items. You do not need a coupon, code, or membership. Just buy the items and the cashier will ring them up tax-free if they may have access to.

What if I buy something over the price cap?

Only the amount under the cap is tax-free. A $120 jacket has tax applied to $20. A $20 calculator has tax applied to $5. The retailer calculates this automatically—you pay tax on the overage amount.

Can I return items bought during tax-free weekend?

Yes. Return policies are the same as any other time. If you return an item, you get back the price you paid, including the tax you did not owe. Some stores may ask for your receipt to process the return correctly.

Does the tax break explore to work uniforms or safety gear?

No. Work boots, safety glasses, and uniforms are excluded. Regular clothing and shoes under $100 may have access to, but items designed for specific work or protective purposes do not.

What if my county has no local sales tax?

You save the full 6 percent state sales tax. A few Florida counties have no local tax, so the tax break is larger there. Check your county's rate on the Florida Department of Revenue website if you are unsure.