Cash in on hot school bargains during sales tax holiday

Consumers get to legally cheat the tax man during Florida’s annual back-toschool sales tax holiday, which kicks off Friday through Aug. 6. We’ll save about $33million in taxes on expensive computers, tablets and tech items ($750 or less), clothes and shoes ($60 or less) and school supplies ($15 or less), according to the Florida Department of Revenue.

It’s a great time to stock up on printer ink cartridges, jeans, jackets, athletic shoes, backpacks, purses, lunch boxes, notebooks, pens and more. See which items are exempt by checking our nifty searchable database at SunSentinel.com/TaxHoliday.

Florida’s sales tax is 6 percent, which is the rate in Broward County. Sales tax in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties is 7 percent. So, if you’re buying a $750 computer, you’ll pocket $52.50 in 7 percent sales tax right off the bat.

Palm Beach County public school begins Aug. 14. Broward and Miami-Dade county children return on Aug. 21.

Clearly, the economic outlook is sunny. ThisNational Retail Federation survey is projecting back-to-school spending will reach $83.6 billion this year, a more than10 percent increase fromlast year’s $75.8 billion. Families plan to spend an average $687 each, up 8 percent fromlast year. Total spending is projected to be the second-highest in the history of the survey following a peak of $30.3 billion in 2012, according to the NRF.

With all that spending going on, I recommend combing the circulars in theweekend newspaper to plan your savings strategy. Here are some deals you can stack with tax savings to get you started.

JC Penney is offering a free $10 off $10 coupon with purchase of $75 on e-gift cards through Aug. 6. Buy the gift card in stores and use them immediately on back-toschool purchases. Then, use the coupon in stores Aug. 7-Sept. 4 to buy something for yourself.

There’smore: Score another $10 reward by downloading the free JC Penney app, found at JCPenney.com/App, and joining the chain’s newly revamped loyalty reward program through Aug. 31. You’ll earn points for purchase, which means more freebies and coupon savings.

JCP salons also are offering a coupon for $10 haircuts for kids in gradeK-6 found at SunSentinel.com/JCP. The offer ends Sept. 9.