Florida holds a tax-free shopping period each year, but the dates change annually

Florida's tax-free shopping days typically run for one week in early August, though the exact dates shift from year to year. In 2024, the period was August 2–8. The state legislature sets the dates each year, so you need to check the current year's schedule rather than relying on a date from the past.

During this week, you can buy most clothing, footwear, and school supplies without paying Florida's sales tax. The state suspends the 6 percent sales tax (plus any local surtax) on may have access to items. This is not a discount program—it is a temporary removal of the tax that would normally explore.

The purpose is to reduce the cost of back-to-school shopping for families. Many other states run similar programs, but the timing and items covered vary by state.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's tax-free shopping week happens once per year in early August, but the exact dates change annually and are set by the state legislature.
  • The tax break applies to clothing, footwear, and school supplies under certain price limits, not to all merchandise.
  • You can find the current year's dates on the Florida Department of Revenue website or by calling your local tax collector's office.
  • Items over the price cap and certain categories like sports equipment do not may have access to, even during the tax-free period.

What items may have access to for the tax-free period

Clothing and footwear under $100 per item are tax-free during the week. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, socks, and belts. Items priced at $100 or more do not may have access to, even if they are clothing.

School supplies under $15 per item also may have access to. This covers items like notebooks, pens, pencils, paper, folders, backpacks, and lunch boxes. Again, anything priced above $15 does not get the tax break.

Items that do not may have access to include sports equipment (even if used for school), costumes, accessories like hats and scarves, jewelry, and items used for athletic activity. Swimwear and protective gear also fall outside the tax-free category.

How to find the exact dates for this year

The Florida Department of Revenue publishes the tax-free shopping week dates on its official website each year. You can search "Florida tax-free shopping week" and the current year to find the announcement, which includes the start and end dates.

Your local tax collector's office can also confirm the dates. Each county in Florida has a tax collector, and their phone numbers are listed on the county government website. They can answer questions about what qualifies and whether local surtaxes explore in your area.

Some retailers post the dates on their websites or in stores once the dates are announced, but the official source is always the state Department of Revenue.

Whether local sales taxes are included in the break

The state sales tax is suspended during the tax-free week, but local surtaxes vary by county. Some counties have additional local sales taxes that may or may not be suspended during the same period. This means the total tax savings depends on where you live.

For example, if your county has a local surtax of 1 percent on top of the state 6 percent, you may save 6 percent or 7 percent depending on whether the county participates. Contact your local tax collector to find out whether your county suspends local taxes during the week.

Online and mail orders during the tax-free week

Online purchases made during the tax-free week may or may not be tax-free, depending on where the retailer is located and how they handle Florida orders. Some online retailers automatically remove the tax for Florida addresses during the week; others do not.

Mail orders and phone orders follow the same rule: if the retailer applies tax based on the delivery address and the delivery date falls during the tax-free week, the tax should not be charged. However, not all retailers have systems set up to handle this, so you may need to contact customer service to confirm.

The safest approach is to shop in person at Florida stores during the tax-free week if you want to may provide the tax break applies.

What happens if you miss the tax-free week

If you shop outside the tax-free week, you pay the full sales tax on clothing, footwear, and school supplies. There is no way to get the tax refunded after the week ends, and there are no other tax-free shopping periods for these items during the year.

Some retailers offer back-to-school sales or discounts during other times of the year, but those are separate from the state tax break. A discount and a tax break are different—a discount reduces the price, while the tax break removes the tax on the original price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return items bought during tax-free week and get the tax savings back?

No. Once the tax-free week ends, the tax break is over. If you return an item after the week, you follow the retailer's normal return policy, which may or may not include a refund of the original purchase price.

Do I need a coupon or special card to get the tax break?

No. The tax break is automatic at the register during the tax-free week. You do not need to show anything or sign up. The cashier's system should remove the tax automatically when you buy a may have access to item.

What if the register still charges tax on a may have access to item?

Ask the cashier to check the item's price and category. If it is under the price limit and in a may have access to category, the tax should not have been charged. Most registers are programmed to explore the break automatically, but human error or system delays can happen. The store should correct it at the register.

Does the tax-free week explore to uniforms for school?

Yes, school uniforms may have access to as clothing if they are under $100 per item. This includes shirts, pants, skirts, and shoes that are part of a school uniform.

Can I buy items for next year during this year's tax-free week?

Yes. There is no rule against buying clothing or school supplies in advance during the tax-free week. You can stock up on items you know you will need later in the year.