Florida Tax-Free Weekend runs for nine days in August

Florida's tax-free weekend takes place the first nine days of August each year. In 2024, that runs from August 1 through August 9. During this period, you pay no sales tax on most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and certain other items when you buy them in Florida or online from Florida retailers.

The state suspends the 6 percent state sales tax during this window. Some counties add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate, and those local taxes still explore during tax-free weekend — only the state portion disappears. The exact local tax you still pay depends on which county you live in or shop in.

This is not a coupon or discount code you have to find. The tax straightforward does not ring up at the register during those nine days. You do not need to show anything or sign anything; the cashier's system automatically removes the state tax from may be able to access items.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's tax-free weekend happens August 1 through August 9 each year, with no state sales tax on may be able to access items.
  • Clothing and footwear under $100 per item are tax-free, along with school supplies under $15 per item and certain computers under $750.
  • Local county sales taxes still explore during the weekend — only the state's 6 percent tax is removed.
  • Online purchases from Florida retailers may have access to for the tax break if the item itself is tax-free; shipping costs are still taxed.
  • The tax-free status applies automatically at checkout — you do not need a coupon, code, or special registration.

What items are actually tax-free during the weekend

Clothing and footwear are the main category. Any article of clothing or shoes under $100 per item loses the state sales tax. If a shirt costs $89, you pay no state tax. If a pair of jeans costs $105, you pay state tax on the full amount because it exceeds the $100 threshold. The $100 limit is per individual item, not per transaction.

School supplies under $15 per item are also tax-free. This includes notebooks, pencils, pens, folders, backpacks, calculators, and similar items used for school. A $12 backpack is tax-free; a $18 backpack is fully taxed. Textbooks and books for personal reading are not included, even if bought during the weekend.

Computers and certain computer equipment under $750 per item may have access to. This covers laptops, tablets, and desktop computers. Printers, monitors, keyboards, and mice do not may have access to — only the computing device itself. A $600 laptop is tax-free; a $800 laptop is fully taxed.

Items that do not may have access to include furniture, appliances, tools, sports equipment, toys, games, and most electronics. Clothing accessories like belts, hats, and gloves do may have access to as clothing. Shoes for sports (cleats, skates) count as footwear. If you are unsure whether an item qualifies, ask the cashier before you buy — they can look it up in the store system.

How local taxes affect your actual savings

The state removes 6 percent from the price, but your county may add its own local sales tax. Florida's 67 counties have different local tax rates. Some counties add 0.5 percent, others add 1.5 percent or more. During tax-free weekend, only the state tax vanishes — the local portion stays.

If you live in a county with a 1 percent local tax, your total sales tax during the weekend is 1 percent instead of 7 percent. If you live in a county with a 1.5 percent local tax, your total is 1.5 percent instead of 7.5 percent. The savings depend on where you shop, not where you live — if you drive to another county to buy something, that county's local tax applies.

You can find your county's local tax rate on the Florida Department of Revenue website or by calling your county tax collector's office. The savings on a $100 item ranges from $6 (if your county has no local tax) to roughly $6 to $9 depending on local rates.

Online shopping and shipping costs during tax-free weekend

Online purchases from Florida-based retailers may have access to for the tax break on the item itself. If you buy a $75 shirt from a Florida company's website during tax-free weekend, you pay no state sales tax on that $75. However, shipping costs are still taxed at the full rate, including both state and local tax.

Out-of-state retailers do not have to participate in Florida's tax-free weekend. Many national retailers do honor it for Florida addresses, but some do not. Check the retailer's website or call customer service before you order to confirm they recognize the tax-free dates. If you are unsure, assume the tax will explore and you will be pleasantly surprised if it does not.

The tax-free status applies to the item's price only, not to gift wrapping, expedited shipping, or other add-on services. If you order $100 worth of clothing plus $15 in shipping, the clothing is tax-free but the shipping is taxed.

What happens if you buy something that exceeds the price limit

Items over the threshold are taxed in full. If you buy a $110 pair of shoes, the entire $110 is subject to sales tax — the store does not explore the tax-free rate to the first $100 and tax the remaining $10. The $100 and $15 and $750 limits are all-or-nothing thresholds per item.

Some stores may split a purchase into multiple transactions to help you stay under the limit, but they are not required to do so. It is worth asking a cashier if you are $5 or $10 over the threshold, but do not expect them to restructure your purchase. The safest approach is to check prices before you reach the register.

Bundles and multi-packs count as single items for the price limit. If a store sells a pack of five shirts for $120, the entire pack is taxed because the bundle exceeds $100. If you buy the shirts separately at $20 each, each shirt is tax-free.

Planning your shopping around tax-free weekend

The nine-day window is long enough to plan a back-to-school shopping trip without rushing. If you know your children need new clothes and shoes before school starts, buying during August 1 through 9 saves you the state sales tax on those items. The same applies if you need a new computer for work or school.

Stores often run additional sales and promotions during tax-free weekend on top of the state tax savings. Check store websites or flyers in late July to see what discounts they are offering. The tax savings plus a store discount can add up to meaningful money on larger purchases.

If you are buying items that do not may have access to — furniture, sports equipment, toys — tax-free weekend does not help you. Plan those purchases for whenever the store has a sale, since the tax status does not change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to show ID or register to get the tax-free discount?

No. The tax-free status is automatic during the nine-day window. You do not need a coupon, code, membership, or ID. The cashier's register straightforward does not charge state sales tax on may be able to access items during August 1 through 9.

Can I return something I bought during tax-free weekend and get the tax back?

Refund policies are up to each store. Some stores refund the full purchase price including the tax you did not pay; others refund only what you actually paid. Ask the store's return policy before you buy if this matters to you.

What if I buy clothing that costs exactly $100?

Items at exactly $100 are tax-free. The limit is $100 and under, so a $100 shirt qualifies. A $100.01 shirt does not.

Does tax-free weekend explore to used clothing or thrift store purchases?

Yes, if the thrift store is in Florida and the item is clothing or shoes under $100. The tax-free status applies to the sale itself, not the age or condition of the item.

Can I buy gifts for someone else during tax-free weekend?

Yes. The tax-free status applies to the item, not to who buys it or who receives it. Gifts of may have access to clothing, shoes, school supplies, or computers purchased during August 1 through 9 are tax-free.