Florida's Tax-Free Week runs for one week in August each year

Florida's tax-free week is a seven-day period in August when you pay no sales tax on certain purchases. The exact dates change each year but always fall in early to mid-August. For 2024, tax-free week runs August 2 through August 8. For 2025, it runs August 1 through August 7. The state announces the following year's dates by late spring, so you can plan ahead.

During tax-free week, the state suspends the 6 percent state sales tax on may be able to access items. Counties may also suspend their local sales tax, though this varies by location — some counties keep their local tax in place even during the state's tax-free period. You do not need to register, claim anything, or show proof of anything. The tax straightforward does not explore at checkout.

Tax-free week exists to reduce the cost of back-to-school shopping, which is why the timing falls before the school year starts. Families with children in public or private school benefit most, but anyone can take advantage of the tax break on covered items.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida's tax-free week in 2024 runs August 2–8 and in 2025 runs August 1–7, with dates announced each spring for the following year.
  • Clothing, footwear, school supplies, and certain computers and educational software are tax-free, but food, furniture, and most electronics are not.
  • The 6 percent state sales tax is suspended, but some counties keep their local sales tax active during the week.
  • You do not need to register, explore, or provide any documentation — the tax is straightforward removed at the register.
  • Items over certain price limits (like clothing over $100 per item) may still be taxed even during tax-free week.

What items are tax-free during the week

Clothing and footwear under $100 per item are tax-free. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, socks, hats, and belts. The $100 limit applies to each individual item, so a $99 shirt is tax-free but a $101 shirt is fully taxed. Accessories like scarves, gloves, and ties also may have access to if they are under $100.

School supplies under $15 per item are tax-free. This covers notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, binders, paper, erasers, scissors, rulers, and similar items. Backpacks and book bags are tax-free regardless of price. Calculators used for school are tax-free, as are educational software and learning materials on physical media (like DVDs or CDs).

Computers and computer-related equipment under $500 are tax-free if they are purchased for educational use. This includes laptops, tablets, and desktop computers. Keyboards, mice, monitors, and printers also may have access to if they are under $500 and purchased for school or educational purposes.

What is not covered by tax-free week

Food and beverages are taxed normally, even during tax-free week. This includes groceries, restaurant meals, and snacks. Clothing over $100 per item is fully taxed. Furniture, including desks and chairs, is taxed. Most electronics like phones, televisions, gaming consoles, and headphones are taxed.

Items used for sports or recreation are taxed, even if purchased for school use. This includes athletic shoes, uniforms, sports equipment, and gym bags. Textbooks are taxed. Items purchased for a business or resale are taxed. Rental or lease payments are taxed.

How county taxes affect your total savings

Florida's state sales tax is 6 percent, but counties add their own local sales tax on top of that. During tax-free week, the state suspends its 6 percent tax on may be able to access items, but not all counties suspend their local tax. Some counties keep their local tax active, which means you still pay that portion at checkout.

For example, if you live in a county with a 1 percent local sales tax, you would pay 1 percent instead of 7 percent on a tax-free item. If your county suspends both state and local tax, you pay nothing. Contact your county tax collector's office or check the Florida Department of Revenue website to learn whether your county suspends local tax during tax-free week.

Where you can shop during tax-free week

Tax-free week applies at all retailers in Florida — big-box stores, department stores, online retailers, small shops, and specialty stores. You do not need to shop at a particular store or chain. The tax break is statewide and applies everywhere.

Online purchases from retailers shipping to Florida are also tax-free during the week, as long as the items are may be able to access and the retailer collects Florida sales tax. Some out-of-state online retailers do not collect Florida tax, so the tax-free week does not affect them — they already charge no tax. Check the retailer's tax policy if you are unsure.

Planning your shopping around tax-free week

The best strategy is to make a list of may be able to access items you need before the week starts. Clothing under $100, school supplies under $15, and computers under $500 are the biggest savings. If you need a $99 item and a $101 item in the same category, buy the cheaper one during tax-free week and the expensive one another time.

If you live near a county line, check whether both counties suspend local tax. If one does and one does not, you could save more by shopping in the county that suspends both taxes. For large purchases like a laptop, the savings can be significant — a $500 computer saves you $30 to $35 depending on your county's local tax rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a student or parent to use tax-free week?

No. Anyone can buy tax-free items during the week. You do not need to prove you have a child in school or that you are a student yourself. The tax break applies to all purchases of may be able to access items, regardless of who is buying them.

Can I return items bought during tax-free week and get a refund?

Yes, but the refund amount depends on when you return the item. If you return it during tax-free week, you get back the full purchase price with no tax. If you return it after tax-free week ends, most retailers refund the amount you paid, which means no tax refund since you paid no tax at purchase.

Are online orders shipped after tax-free week still tax-free if I ordered during the week?

No. The tax status is determined by the date the item is delivered or picked up, not the date you placed the order. If it arrives after tax-free week ends, sales tax applies. Place your order early enough that delivery falls within the tax-free dates.

What if an item is on the border of the price limit, like a $99.99 shirt?

Items priced at $99.99 are under the $100 limit and are tax-free. The limit is the full dollar amount, so anything from $0.01 to $99.99 qualifies. At $100.00 or higher, the item is taxed.

Does tax-free week explore to gift cards or store credit?

No. Gift cards and store credit are not tax-free items. You pay tax normally when you buy a gift card. When you use the gift card to buy may be able to access items during tax-free week, those items are tax-free, but the gift card itself is not.