When Florida Declares Tax-Free Days

Florida holds a back-to-school tax-free week each year, usually in early August, when clothing, shoes, and school supplies are sold without the state's 6% sales tax. The exact dates change annually — the state legislature sets them each spring. For 2024, the event runs for one week; you can check the Florida Department of Revenue website for the current year's specific dates.

Beyond the annual back-to-school period, Florida does not have regular, recurring tax-free days for other categories. However, the state does exempt certain items from sales tax permanently — groceries, prescription medications, and medical devices are never taxed in Florida, regardless of the time of year.

Some counties and cities occasionally run local tax-free promotions, but these are not statewide and vary by location. Your county's tax collector's office can tell you whether your area has scheduled any local tax-free events.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's main tax-free event is a one-week back-to-school period in early August, with dates set by the state legislature each year.
  • During tax-free week, clothing, shoes, and school supplies under certain price limits are sold without the 6% state sales tax.
  • Groceries, prescription drugs, and medical devices are permanently exempt from Florida sales tax year-round.
  • Some counties run their own local tax-free promotions outside the statewide event, so check with your county tax collector.

What Items Are Covered During Tax-Free Week

During Florida's back-to-school tax-free week, clothing and shoes are exempt from sales tax with no price limit. School supplies — including notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, and backpacks — are also tax-free, but only items priced under $15 each. A backpack costing $20 would be taxed; one costing $14.99 would not.

Items that look like school supplies but do not count include electronics (calculators, computers, printers), furniture, and sports equipment. A desk lamp or a soccer ball would still be taxed during the week, even though they might be used for school.

Clothing includes everyday wear, athletic wear, and accessories like hats and belts. Costumes and clothing designed for a specific purpose — such as a police uniform or a wedding dress — are taxed even during tax-free week.

How to Find the Exact Dates Each Year

The Florida Department of Revenue announces the back-to-school tax-free week dates in the spring, usually by May. The official announcement appears on the department's website under "Tax-Free Week" or "Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday." You can also call your county tax collector's office to confirm the dates for your area.

Retailers typically advertise the tax-free week in July and early August, so you will see signs and emails from major stores as the event approaches. However, not all retailers participate — some smaller shops may not adjust their registers or may not be aware of the event. It is worth asking a store directly whether they are honoring the tax-free week before you check out.

Permanent Tax Exemptions in Florida

Florida exempts groceries from sales tax year-round. This includes fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Prepared foods — such as deli items, hot foods, or restaurant meals — are still taxed, but raw ingredients and packaged foods meant to be cooked at home are not.

Prescription medications and certain medical devices are also permanently tax-free. This includes insulin, inhalers, and devices prescribed by a doctor. Over-the-counter medications like cold medicine or pain relievers are taxed, but prescription items are not.

Durable medical equipment — such as wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen equipment — may be tax-exempt if prescribed by a physician. The rules vary depending on the specific device, so ask the retailer or check with the Florida Department of Revenue if you are unsure whether a particular item qualifies.

Local Tax-Free Events Outside the Statewide Week

Some Florida counties and cities run their own tax-free promotions at different times of year. These are not statewide and do not happen every year. For example, a county might declare a tax-free weekend for hurricane preparedness supplies in the spring, or a city might offer a tax-free day for back-to-school items in July if the state's event falls too late for their schools.

To find out whether your county or city has scheduled a local tax-free event, contact your county tax collector's office directly. They maintain a calendar of any local promotions and can tell you which items are covered and when the event runs.

What Happens If a Store Does Not Honor Tax-Free Week

If a retailer fails to remove sales tax during Florida's tax-free week on an item that should be exempt, you can report it to the Florida Department of Revenue. The department investigates complaints about retailers who do not comply with the tax-free week rules.

In practice, most large retailers and many small ones do participate, but mistakes happen — a cashier might ring up an item incorrectly, or a store's system might not be updated in time. If you notice the tax was charged on a may have access to item, ask the store manager to correct it at the register. Most will do so when ready if you point out the error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return items bought during tax-free week and get the tax refund if I bought them before the week started?

No. The tax-free status applies only to purchases made during the designated week. If you bought an item the week before and return it during tax-free week, you will not receive a refund of the tax you paid. The exemption is based on when you buy, not when you return.

Do online purchases count toward Florida's tax-free week?

Yes, if the retailer ships to Florida and the purchase is made during the tax-free week. However, some online retailers may not be set up to remove tax automatically, so you may need to contact customer service to request a refund of the sales tax charged. Check the retailer's policy before you buy.

Are there any price limits on clothing during tax-free week?

No. Clothing and shoes have no price limit during Florida's tax-free week — a $500 coat is exempt just as a $20 shirt is. School supplies, however, are only exempt if each item costs $15 or less.

What if I buy something that is both clothing and school-related, like a school uniform?

School uniforms are treated as clothing, not school supplies, so they are tax-free during tax-free week with no price limit. The item's category matters more than its intended use.