Florida's Sales Tax Holiday To Return In August
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) -- Attention shoppers: Mark Aug. 2 to Aug. 4 on your calendars. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved a bill (SB 916) that would allow back-to-school shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on numerous types of items during the three-day period in August.
As examples, the sales-tax break would apply to clothes, wallets and bags, handbags and backpacks, shoes and some other items up to $75, and school supplies that cost $15 or less.
But the big change for the back-to-school sales tax holiday is residents will be able to purchase computers and computer equipment tax-free for the first time ever.
However, the tax break applies only to computers, computer accessories and non-recreational software that are valued at $750 or less. This means that it will cover certain Apple products, such as iPads, but it would not apply to more expensive laptops. The break will also not apply to cell phones.
State economists have estimated the impact of the proposed three-day holiday at $28.3 million to the state and $6.4 million to local governments - though some economic studies have shown that people are induced to buy more uncovered items during the sales tax holiday, meaning tax collections could increase.
"The News Service of Florida contributed to this report."
