No-tax list: School supplies, computers and... lingerie?
Annual back-to-school sales tax holiday begins Friday, ends August 6
Shoppers this weekend will be able to save money on sales taxes when buying back-to-school supplies like backpacks, calculators and notebooks, but those won’t be the only tax-free items.
Diapers, swim suits and lingerie are some of the other items exempt from sales tax during the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday taking place this Friday through Tuesday, Aug. 6.
As families look to spend potentially hundreds of dollars on back-to-school shopping, certain clothing, school supplies and technology won’t have a sales tax — which is 6 to 8 percent depending on the county.
The Florida Retail Federation calls the tax holiday the state’s second-busiest shopping event behind Black Friday.
Average spending nationally for a family shopping for K-12 children is anticipated to be $696.70, according to a National Retail Federation survey, while families with college students are expected to spend an average of $976.78.
“We do see traffic patterns similar to Black Friday weekend,” said Lauren Carelli, area marketing director for Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets and Orlando International Premium Outlets.
What items are tax-free and why? Certain school supplies costing $15 or less as well as clothing, shoes and bags $60 or less and technology products up to $1,000 are part of the tax-free holiday.
Tax-exempt school supply items include folders, highlighters, pens, poster board and scissors.
Computers, headphones and tablets will be some of the tax-free technology, but products such as computers designed for recreation, game controllers and digital cameras will still be taxed.
Tax-free clothing and accessories include pants, blouses, dresses, shirts and shoes.
Other clothing items not typically thought of as being back-to-school purchases will also see the tax savings, including non-flotation fishing vests, hunting vests and lingerie.
However, the exemptions don’t include products such as ice skates, luggage and wigs, which will all remain taxable.
Florida Retail Federation spokesman James Miller
pointed out the sales-tax holiday isn’t just for students or parents of students.
“Women of all ages can shop that weekend, which is why lingerie is included,” he wrote in an email.
What are the popular items? Miller expects a big rush on technology products after they were cut from last year’s savings.
“More and more schools are going the route of computers, laptops and tablets,” he said.
At Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets and Orlando International Premium Outlets, the biggest items are usually bags, backpacks, kids’ clothing and shoes, Carelli said.
Pencils, paper, glue and apparel are popular products at the Oviedo Walmart Supercenter, said store manager Dub Goodroe.
When are the savings? The sales-tax holiday starts at 12:01 a.m. Friday and wraps up at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, up from a threeday holiday last year.
Some years the holiday has reached 10 days, but it didn’t take place in 2008 and 2009 because of the recession.
Miller said the best days to shop will be Friday and Monday with Saturday and Sunday being the busiest.
“Even though the holiday extends through Tuesday, with that being the last day,
we anticipate a flurry of shoppers scrambling after work to buy last minute items,” he said.
At the outlet locations, Carelli recommends coming early or late.
Are the discounts available online? Yes, any retailer with a Florida presence is automatically required to make the exempt items tax free, Miller explained.
Are there additional sales? Retailers at Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets and Orlando International Premium Outlets are anticipated to offer up sales beyond the tax savings.
“We see our stores run additional
offers on top of the already reduced items in store,” Carelli said.
Office Depot is advertising 80 percent off supplies such as pencils and highlighters as well as $10 school backpacks while supplies last.
Target will also have a buy-one, get-one 50 percent off sale on all kids’ shoes as well as Paper Mate writing supplies.
Another sale will be taking place at Staples, where school supplies will be 20 percent off with the purchase of a backpack through Saturday.