Florida's back-to-school tax exemption begins Friday

MIAMI ā€“ Attention shoppers: Back-to-school shopping's tax exemption beginsĀ on Friday and runs throughĀ Sunday.Ā 

The exemption --Ā which allows shoppers to save at least 6 percent on state and local taxes -- will attract almost as many shoppers to stores as Black Friday does, according to the Florida Retail Federation.Ā Ā 

"We expect to see near-record sales this year," R. Scott Shalley, the president of the federation,Ā said in a statement.Ā 

Retailers expect the average family to spend $684.79, which will amount to more than $27.5 billion nationwide. Most of the back-to-school shoppers will spend about $240 on clothing.Ā 

For the exemption to apply, the items under the category of school supplies must be selling for $15Ā or less per item. This applies to calculators, lunch boxes andĀ protractors.Ā It doesn't apply to computers, correction tape, staplers and staples.Ā 

The items under the category of apparel must be selling for $60 or less per item. This applies to wallets, backpacks, handbags, footwear, hair accessories, bathing suits andĀ bicycle helmets. It doesn't apply to watches, jewelry and safety glasses.Ā 

For more information, read the June 27 state notice sent to businesses with multiple locations.Ā 


About the Authors

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer.Ā In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.

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