2023 List of Items for Florida’s Back To School Sales Tax Holiday

Florida's Back to School sales tax free holiday starts Monday (July 24, 2023) and runs through August 6. As you get ready to hit the stores, keep this list handy of items that are and are NOT tax-free during the next 2 weeks. Generally speaking, you can narrow down what IS tax-free in these 4 categories.

• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less
• Most school supplies selling for $50 or less
• Clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $100 or less
• Computers and related accessories selling for $1,500 or less (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use)

More specifically, tax free items include...
➢ Electronic book readers
➢ Laptops
➢ Desktops
➢ Handhelds
➢ Tablets
➢ Tower computers
➢ Keyboards
➢ Mice
➢ Personal digital assistants
➢ Monitors
➢ Other peripheral devices
➢ Modems
➢ Routers
➢ Nonrecreational software, regardless of whether the accessories are used in association with a personal computer base unit
➢ Handbags
➢ Backpacks
➢ Fanny packs
➢ Diaper bags
o Clothing
➢ Footwear, excluding skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates
o Pens
o Pencils
o Erasers
o Crayons
o Notebooks
o Notebook filler paper
o Legal pads
o Binders
o Lunch boxes
o Construction paper
o Markers
o Folders
o Poster board
o Composition books
o Poster paper
o Scissors
o Cellophane tape
o Glue or paste
o Rulers
o Computer disks
o Staplers
o Staples used to secure paper products
o Protractors
o Compasses
o Calculators
o Flashcards or other learning cards
o Matching or other memory games
o Puzzle books and search-and-find books
o Interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills
o Stacking or nesting blocks or sets

Items that are NOT tax free:
o Watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, and handkerchiefs
o Cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices that are not primarily designed to process data.
o Furniture or systems, devices, software, monitors with a television tuner, or peripherals that are designed or intended primarily for recreational use.
o Briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags

The sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport. There is no limit as to how many of the tax-free items you can buy. But do keep in mind those individual item price limits.

The highest-rated public high school in Florida is right here in our area. Niche is out with their list of the best of the best for 2021. Factors in their research included state test scores, how ready their students were for college, graduation rates, and the quality of their teachers. Participation in sports, absenteeism, suspensions, and survey responses also played a minor role in determining the rankings.

Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School had the second highest ranking in charter high schools in the Tampa area. They scored an A in academics, health and safety, college prep and diversity. 84% of their students were proficient in reading.

Palm Harbor University High School ranked 2nd in Pinellas County and #63 in the state overall. A grades were attained for academics and college preparation.

At #59 in the state, Riverview High School got high marks in academics, clubs and activities, diversity and college prep.

Sickles High School in Tampa came in at #53, scoring A's in teaching, college prep, diversity and academics.

The Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy in Auburndale came in at #1 in the best public high schools of Polk County. They scored an A grade in adademics, teaching, diversity and health/safety. Statewide, the school came in at #51.

Steinbrenner High in Lutz came in at #40. Test scores showed proficiency in 75% of their students in math and 79% reading.

Just behind Plant at #32 in Florida is Strawberry Crest High in Dover. They got an A rating in academics, health & safety, clubs and activities, college preparation and received an A+ rank for diversity.

Tampa's Plant High School ranked 30th in Florida. With a teacher to student ratio of 22 to 1, the school scored an A grade in academics, diversity, and college prep.

St. Petersburg Collegiate High School made the top 20. 85% of their students were proficient in math. 95% were proficient in reading.

Pine View School in Sarasota County topped the list. They got an A+ in academics and college preparation. With 1,877 students, 99% of Pine View's studetns are proficient in math and reading.