Florida Families Get a Financial Break with August Sales Tax Holiday

By Shelia Mader

Families across Florida will be able to stretch their dollars a little further this August, thanks to a tax-relief initiative announced by Governor Ron DeSantis. The 2025 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday will run from Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 31, giving parents and caregivers an entire month of savings on essential school supplies, clothing, electronics, and more.

“Proud to deliver additional sales tax holidays, including the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday that begins on August 1,” said Governor DeSantis. “With the new school year just around the corner, Florida families can save on back-to-school shopping during the tax holiday for the entire month of August. By cutting taxes, empowering parents, and growing our economy, we're making it easier for people to live, work, and thrive in the Free State of Florida.”

The tax exemption includes a wide range of items:

School supplies priced at $50 or less, including notebooks, binders, pens, pencils, and lunch boxes.

Clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less, such as shirts, pants, shoes, jackets, and backpacks.

Learning aids priced at $30 or less, including educational puzzles, flashcards, and interactive books.

Personal computers and accessories priced at $1,500 or less for noncommercial use — including laptops, printers, headphones, and flash drives.

The initiative is part of a broader $2 billion tax relief package signed earlier this year, aimed at easing financial pressures on working families. Florida continues to show economic strength, maintaining a low unemployment rate and a AAA credit rating from all major credit agencies.

Educators and parents in Jackson County have voiced enthusiastic support for the move. “Our community has been very fortunate to have numerous back-to-school drives that gave parents a much-needed break with finances,” one local teacher shared. “We are a rural county that depends a lot on agriculture, and with the heat, rain shortages, and then downpours, our ag economy has really struggled. This affects everyone.”

A local school administrator added, “They really came through for school supplies this year. I think every town had a back-to-school giveaway, and some had more than one. That’s what living in a small town is all about, looking after each other. And JCo came through this year, big time.”

One Jackson County parent, while grateful for the tax break, recognized how much it means for families living paycheck to paycheck. “As a parent fortunate enough to have a good job and a supportive spouse, this is a blessing to us, but I can only imagine what those less fortunate are going through,” she said. “I pick up extra supplies to leave in my kids’ classrooms because I know there are parents who just can’t swing it. School supplies come after food and shelter in some homes, so I’m happy to help. The money saved during this tax holiday might not seem like much to some, but it adds up and really does help.”

The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is part of Florida’s ongoing efforts to support families while sustaining a strong economy.

For a complete list of qualifying tax-free items, visit FloridaRevenue.com/BackToSchool.