Florida among a dozen states with back-to-school sales tax holiday

(The Center Square) – Florida families will be able to take advantage of an upcoming sales tax holiday as they prepare their children for the new school year. It is one of around a dozen states with school-related tax holidays.

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Thursday to highlight the Back-To-School sales tax holiday, which will last two weeks beginning on July 29.

“This is an opportunity to save real money…it will allow you to save money on the most important school supplies, including pretty much any school supply selling for $50 or less is tax-free, clothing, footwear, and other apparel $100 or less, tax-free,” DeSantis said. “Learning aids up to $30 tax-free, personal computers and other accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less…is tax-free.”

Other sales tax holidays include a 50% reduction for commuters that use toll roads, the disaster preparedness tax holiday that happens twice a year, a skilled worker tool sales tax holiday beginning in September and the Freedom Summer sales tax holiday which is currently happening during July.

“I appreciate the Legislature stepping up and renewing this, it’s important that we’re able to provide for Florida families,” DeSantis said.

Florida’s economy was recently ranked number one by CNBC, and DeSantis noted that because of this success, he and the Legislature could deliver billions in tax cuts for Floridians.

“We are number one in new business formations every year since I’ve been governor, number one in net in-migration…number one in education two years in a row by U.S. News & World Report, number one in the higher education system, I think six years in a row now,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis stated that tuition costs for state universities and colleges have not increased since he became governor and remain well below what other states charge students.

The Bright Future Scholarship Program is fully funded in the 2024-25 state budget. This program awards scholarships to high-achieving high school students, who can receive free tuition or a 75% reduction in tuition fees if they still perform well academically.

Top-performing out-of-state students who have a grandparent or other close family members living in the Sunshine State could also be eligible for scholarships. DeSantis noted that Florida also ranks number one in the nation for education freedom from pre-K through 12th grade.