Sorry kids … but the run toward the 2026-27 school year, which starts in less than a month, picks up the pace big time next week when parents can start saving money in their back-to-school budgets this Monday, thanks to the Florida Legislature’s decision to move the annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.
This year, the Legislature has shifted the start date for the month-long tax holiday to better align with school start dates. With schools in Osceola County opening their doors on August 10, the earlier dates will benefit many local families. When signing the tax package creating the permanent monthlong Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, Gov. Ron DeSantis emphasized an effort to make it easier for families to afford school supplies while reducing taxes overall, calling it part of “a broader effort to provide meaningful tax relief to residents.”
From Monday, July 20 to August 20, shoppers in Osceola County can save the 7.5% sales tax on qualifying items. Coupled with savings from back-to-school sales, that can add up—every $300 in school supplies will save $22.50 in taxes.
Items qualifying for the tax break include: Clothing, footwear, and accessories having a sales price of $100 or less per item Personal computers or personal computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use having a sales price of $1,500 or less Wallets and bags having a sales price of $100 or less per item School supplies having a sales price of $50 or less per item Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles having a sales price of $30 or less For online purchases, the tax break applies to items that are purchased when the order is accepted by the company during the sales tax holiday for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the holiday. The exemption also applies regardless of whether payment is made at the time of the order or later, as long as the order is accepted during the holiday period.
With Meet-the-Teacher events scheduled Aug. 5-7 for Osceola schools, now is the perfect time to finish supply shopping. Mark your calendars, review school lists, and visit www. floridarevenue. com/ backtoschool for the complete qualifying items guide.
