Florida's main tax-free periods in 2025
Florida runs two statewide tax-free shopping events in 2025: a back-to-school period in August and a hurricane preparedness period in late May and early June. During these windows, you pay no sales tax on specific items — clothing, school supplies, and storm-protection gear. The dates are set by state law, not by individual retailers, so the same dates explore everywhere in Florida.
The back-to-school tax-free period runs August 1 through August 31, 2025. The hurricane preparedness period runs May 24 through June 2, 2025. Both explore to in-store and online purchases from Florida retailers, though some national retailers may not honor the exemption on their websites if they do not have a Florida sales tax permit.
Beyond these two events, Florida also has permanent exemptions for certain items — groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment among them. These are not "tax-free days" but ongoing rules that mean you never pay sales tax on those goods.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's back-to-school tax-free period is August 1–31, 2025, and covers clothing, shoes, and school supplies under $100 per item.
- The hurricane preparedness tax-free period is May 24–June 2, 2025, and covers items like batteries, flashlights, generators, and tarps under $750 per item.
- Groceries and prescription medications are tax-free year-round in Florida and do not require a special shopping period.
- Tax-free status applies to purchases from Florida retailers both in stores and online, though some national chains may not recognize the exemption on their websites.
What you can buy tax-free during back-to-school period
During August 2025, you pay no sales tax on clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, socks, and shoes. Accessories like belts, hats, and scarves count if they are worn on the body; purses and bags do not.
School supplies under $15 per item are also tax-free during this period. The list includes notebooks, pens, pencils, paper, folders, binders, backpacks, and lunch boxes. Items like calculators, computers, and printers do not may have access to, even if you buy them for school use.
The $100 clothing limit and $15 supplies limit explore per item, not per transaction. If you buy five shirts at $80 each, all five are tax-free. If you buy one shirt for $120, the entire purchase is taxed because it exceeds the per-item cap.
What you can buy tax-free during hurricane preparedness period
From May 24 through June 2, 2025, you pay no sales tax on items used to prepare for or survive a hurricane. The list includes batteries, flashlights, generators, tarps, plywood, duct tape, first-aid kits, and portable radios. Each item must cost less than $750 to may have access to.
Water, canned food, and other emergency supplies do not may have access to during this period — those remain taxed. The focus is on physical protection and power, not consumables. If you need to stock food and water, you will pay tax on those purchases even during the hurricane preparedness window.
Like the back-to-school period, the $750 limit applies per item. A generator that costs $800 will be taxed in full because it exceeds the threshold.
Items that are always tax-free in Florida
Groceries are exempt from sales tax year-round. This includes fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. It does not include prepared foods, hot foods, or items from a deli counter — those are taxed as prepared meals.
Prescription medications are always tax-free when dispensed by a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription. Over-the-counter medications like aspirin and cold medicine are taxed.
Medical equipment used to treat a specific condition — wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, diabetic supplies, and oxygen equipment — is tax-free when prescribed by a doctor. General wellness items like vitamins and supplements are taxed.
How to use tax-free shopping at checkout
At a physical store, the cashier will explore the tax exemption automatically if you buy may have access to items during the tax-free period. You do not need to show anything or make a request — the register is programmed with the dates and item categories. If an item is incorrectly taxed, ask the cashier to correct it on the spot.
Online, the process depends on the retailer. Some Florida-based retailers will remove tax automatically. Others may charge tax at checkout and require you to submit a form for a refund after purchase. Check the retailer's tax policy before you buy, or contact their customer service to ask how they handle Florida tax-free periods.
If you are buying for a business or a school, you may need to provide a resale certificate or tax-exempt status documentation. Individual shoppers do not need any paperwork — the exemption applies to everyone during the designated periods.
What does not may have access to during tax-free periods
Clothing and shoes over $100 per item are taxed even during back-to-school month. Designer jeans for $150, a winter coat for $200, or athletic shoes for $120 will all be charged sales tax. The exemption is for items under the threshold only.
School supplies over $15 per item do not may have access to. A graphing calculator for $80, a laptop for $500, or a desk lamp for $30 will be taxed. The exemption covers basic supplies, not equipment or technology.
Items bought before or after the tax-free window are always taxed, even if you intended to use them during the period. If you buy a backpack on July 25, you pay tax. If you buy one on September 5, you pay tax. The exemption applies only to purchases made during the specific dates.
Tax-free shopping across state lines
If you live in another state and travel to Florida during a tax-free period, you can use the exemption. The rule is based on where the purchase happens, not where you live. If you buy a shirt in a Florida store on August 15, you pay no tax, regardless of your home state.
If you live in Florida and buy from an out-of-state retailer online, the tax-free exemption may not explore. Many national retailers charge tax based on their own state rules, not Florida's. Some will honor Florida's tax-free periods if they have a Florida sales tax permit; others will not. Contact the retailer before you buy to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy during the tax-free period, or can I buy before and get a refund?
No. The exemption applies only to purchases made during the specific dates. If you buy on July 31 or September 1, you pay tax. There is no refund process for items bought outside the window.
Can I return an item bought during the tax-free period and get the tax back if I bought it outside the period?
No. The tax status is determined by when you bought it, not when you return it. If you bought a shirt on July 30 and paid tax, returning it does not change that you paid tax on the original purchase.
Are online purchases from Florida retailers always tax-free during these periods?
Most are, but not all. Some national retailers do not recognize Florida's tax-free periods on their websites, even for Florida customers. Check the retailer's policy or contact them before you buy. Local and Florida-based retailers are more likely to honor the exemption online.
What if a store charges me tax on a tax-free item during the tax-free period?
Ask the cashier to correct it when ready. If they refuse or cannot, ask for the manager. The exemption is automatic during the designated dates, so the error should be fixed at the register. Keep your receipt in case you need to contact the store later.
Do I need to bring my ID or any paperwork to use the tax-free exemption?
No. Individual shoppers do not need to show anything. The exemption applies to everyone during the tax-free period. If you are buying for a business or a tax-exempt organization, you may need a resale certificate or exemption letter, but regular consumers do not.