TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The three-day, back-to-school sales tax holiday kicks off on Friday and lasts until Sunday.
This year's sales tax holiday was signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott in this year's $180 million tax cut package and is estimated to save Florida families more than $33 million in taxes.
"Since 2011, we have relentlessly worked to cut taxes and put more money back in families' pockets," Scott said in a statement. "I'm proud that we have cut more than $7 billion in taxes, including more than $33 million in savings for Florida families from this important Back-to School Sales Tax Holiday starting tomorrow. I encourage all students, families and educators to take advantage of this great opportunity to purchase tax-free school supplies and other items to prepare for another successful school year."
Items that qualify to be exempt from tax include certain school supplies that are selling for $15 or less per item, clothing, shoes and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item and computers and certain computer-related accessories that are selling for $750 or less per item.
Retailers, like Staples, said it is one of their busiest weekends of the year.
"A lot of our customers know, and are really ready to come this weekend and do a lot of shopping with us," Stales sales manager Paul Penna said. "If they buy a computer that is $750, they can save $58 in tax just alone on that, so that is a pretty big savings to a customer."
The sales tax holiday is exempt for any items sold in theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishment or airport.
"Whatever can save people money, it is helpful," one shopper, Yelelly Loor said. "There are a lot of supplies for kids these days. The lists are super long, so whatever parents can save on -- it gets costly. It adds up."
The sales tax holiday is also exempt for repairs or alterations of any eligible items.
Click here for more information about the back-to-school sales tax holiday.