The back-to-school ads, sales, and deals are everywhere. The seasonal section of Target has been inundated with school supplies since early July. Heck, according to Costco, it’s basically Halloween now. Whether you love it or hate it, school is back in session, and it’s time to check those items off that long supply list! (Need your child’s supply list? You can easily find your school’s lists through a simple search on TeacherLists.com.)
The bottom line is that inflation continues to bruise our bank accounts, and we could all use a bit of a break. Enter the Florida 2024 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, running July 29 to August 11, helping you save money both in-store and online on tons of much-needed items.
What is the Tax-Free Holiday?
During the 2024 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, certain clothing, footwear, and accessories selling for $100 or less per item, most school supplies selling for $50 or less per item, learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less, and personal computers and related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use with a sales price of $1,500 or less, are exempt from sales tax.
You can shop in-store or online for these items during the Tax-Free Holiday, but if shopping online, delivery must be to a Florida address. What types of items specifically qualify? Hats, shoes, shorts, pants, shirts, underwear, socks, backpacks, purses, lunch boxes, assorted school supplies, printers, laptops, tablets, and more, all as long as each item is within the price threshold.
Don’t forget to take advantage of more than just your child’s back-to-school supplies! You can stock up on your own office supplies, too — including that one notebook or planner you’ve been eyeing that will finally help you get your life together (just me?). The same goes for clothing and shoes (under $100 each) for the whole family — so treat yourself, while you’re at it. You’ve earned it!
Money-Saving Hacks & Apps
In addition to the Tax-Free Holiday, saving money has never been easier with certain smartphone deal finders and cash-back apps, which can be a huge help.
Get all the cash back. Check your debit and credit card companies and activate the cash-back deals on any retailers you frequently chop — I know Chase, Wells Fargo, and even PayPal rotate them periodically.
Sign up for money-saving apps and browser extensions. Get even more cash back and special deals from apps and browser extensions like Rakuten, RetailMeNot, Honey, and Ibotta. Other apps like Fetch allow you to easily scan entire receipts for points, which you can later redeem for gift cards to retailers like Amazon and Starbucks. (While you’re scanning those receipts, don’t forget to scan them into the Box Tops app to get money back for your school!)
Get all the retailer apps. Publix is a must for BOGO items, and the Target Circle app is full of deals (which can be combined with the 5% off you get daily with the Target card). Office Max, Staples, and Michaels have solid apps and/or rewards programs.
Keep your eyes peeled for deals. Retailers constantly offer in-store or online deals; rarely a day goes by where you can’t find a good discount. Companies like VistaPrint and Mabel’s Labels are great for kids’ labels and personalized items and often offer some savings. And you can save on retailers like Old Navy and Carter’s by having items shipped directly to the store for pick-up. And, of course, there’s always the trusty Amazon Prime.
Name Brand vs. Generic
Another tip: What if I told you that buying the store brand or generic brand of glue (unless otherwise specified) is not the end of the world? Your child will not end up on the teacher’s “bad list” if you buy the $1 notebook instead of the $6 notebook. Most school supplies come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and styles which means they also vary in price. In most cases, a three-ring binder with side pockets that is $2.50 at Walmart is just as effective as that $14 binder from Pottery Barn.
Note that if the school supplies list specifies Crayola crayons or Ticonderoga pencils, try to buy those brands. There’s a reason why these brands are so beloved for coloring and writing, but at the end of the day, a glue stick is just a glue stick.
For more information on the Florida 2024 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, check out these frequently asked questions.
1. Is there a limit on the number of items that can be purchased exempt during the sales tax holiday? No. The exemption is based on the sales price of each item, not on the number of items purchased.
2. Will I have to pay sales tax if I purchase qualifying items during the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday using a gift card?
No. Qualifying items purchased during the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday using a gift card are exempt from tax, regardless of when the gift card was purchased. However, qualifying items purchased with a gift card after the tax exemption period are taxable, even if the gift card was purchased during the tax exemption period.
3. Does the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday also apply to items I purchase online?
Yes. Qualifying items purchased online are exempt when the order is accepted by the company during the sales tax holiday period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the tax holiday period.
Happy savings (and shopping!).
