Florida Tax-Free Weekend is when lucky Floridians have the opportunity to save big on eligible items by shopping, as the name indicates, tax free. Anyone trying to keep up with the ever-growing needs of their families, especially given the current high level of inflation, needs to find as many ways to save as possible.
In order to address these pressing issues, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a recent large tax-relief package. In fact, if you live in Florida, (or, heck, if you are vacationing there at the right time), you have more than just one tax-free weekend, you’ve actually got 10 different sales tax holidays throughout the year!
Each tax holiday will include quite a few weekends, and each is designed to benefit Floridians in unique ways. From gas, to supplies for children, to tools, to appliances, to disaster preparedness supplies and even recreational activities, a wide variety of items can qualify. Expect to save the 6% Florida state sales tax as well as on local taxes. We’ll break down all you need to know about these awesome opportunities so you can mark your calendar to save.
Not in Florida? Check out other states’ tax-free weekends for 2022.
When Is Tax-Free Weekend in Florida?
The good news is that, while you hear it referred to as Florida tax-free weekend, some of Florida’s sales tax holidays are actually more than that. The tax-free holidays range from at least seven days to two years — that one’s for impact resistance (disaster proofing) for large items like windows and doors.
The most popular tax-free weekends for most consumers, though, are a part of Freedom Week and the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.
- When Is Florida Freedom Week 2022? Freedom week overlaps the Fourth of July (hence the name) and runs for seven full days, from July 1 through July 7, 2022.
- When Is the Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday 2022? This tax-free holiday runs for 14 full days, from July 25 through Aug. 7, 2022.
What Is the Florida Freedom Week Tax-Free Holiday?
Florida Freedom week was started in 2021 as a means to help stimulate the economy post-pandemic. Held over the Fourth of July weekend, it also encourages people to take advantage of all the cultural and outdoor recreational activities available to Floridians.
How Do I Save During Florida Freedom Week?
Florida 2022 Freedom week, July 1, 2022 through July 7, 2022, is an opportunity to save on recreation, sports, arts, music and culture.
- Go see a show or attend an event: It’s time to see a show with no tax for tickets for events from July 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2022.
- Live music.
- Live sporting events.
- Movie theater tickets.
- Ballet.
- Plays.
- Musical theater.
- Fairs.
- Festivals.
- Cultural events.
- Invest in your whole year: Why go to one show, when you can have things to look forward to all year long? There will be no tax applied to annual/season passes for:
- Museums.
- State parks.
- Ballets.
- Plays.
- Music events.
- Musical performances.
- Enjoy the ocean: It’s Florida, so there is no shortage of top-notch activities in water. There will be no tax on the following:
- First $25 on sales of goggles, snorkels, swimming masks.
- First $75 for coolers, oars, life jackets and paddles.
- First $150 for water tubes, kneeboards, wakeboards, water skis.
- First $300 for paddle boards, surfboards.
- First $500 for canoes, kayaks.
- First $5 or $10 if multiple, for bait and fishing tackle.
- First $30 for tackle bags, tackle boxes.
- First $75, or $150 if a set, for reels and rods.
- Go camping: Enjoy the serenity of outdoor resources in Florida. There will be no tax on the following:
- First $30 for camping lanterns, flashlights.
- First $50 for camping stoves, portable hammocks, sleeping bags, collapsible camping chairs.
- First $200 for tents.
- First $15 for insect repellant, sunscreen.
- Upgrade your backyard oasis: Maybe it’s time to buy a new grill or invest in your pool. There will be no tax on the following:
- First $35 for inflatable chairs, pool floats, pool toys, recreational pool tubes.
- First $100 for pool covers, filters, lights, nets and parts.
- First $150 on pool chemicals.
- First $250 for gas or charcoal grills.
- Get moving: Save on sports equipment, fitness facilities and biking.
- Admission to private and membership clubs providing physical fitness facilities.
- First $50 on bicycle helmets, hydration packs.
- First $30 on water bottles.
- First $250 on bicycles.
- First $40 for sports equipment (but not sports clothing or footwear).
What Is the Florida Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday?
Florida’s back-to-school tax-free holiday later in the summer was created to help families save on essential back-to-school items for their families like clothing, books and computers. This year the tax holiday was adjusted to address recent inflation pricing. For example, this year, the tax-free savings has increased to clothing below $100, which is $40 more than last year which only was tax free up to $60. Also, the back-to-school 2022 tax-free holiday was extended. This year, 2022 families have two weeks (which includes two weekends) to utilize this savings opportunity. Last year in 2021, shoppers had 10 days.
How Do I Save During Florida Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday?
Florida 2022 back-to-school tax-free holiday is the best time to stock up on all your family’s essential back-to-school items. From July 25, 2022 through Aug. 7, 2022, you should consider buying the following tax-exempt items.
- Clothing: Any item less than $100 per item such as coats, pants, socks, shirts, sleepwear, undergarments or jeans.
- School Supplies: Certain items less than $50 per item such as binders, calculators, lunch boxes, notebooks, erasers, pencils, folders and markers.
- Learning Supplies: Certain items less than $30 such as flash cards, puzzle books, electronic books, math toys and memory games.
- Footwear: Any item less than $100 per item such as boots, shoes, sneakers or slippers.
- Accessories: Any item less than $100 per item such as belts, hair bands, scarves, ties, clips, wallets and handbags.
- Personal computers and computer-related accessories: Certain items less than $1,500 when purchased for home or personal use such as computers, laptops, tablets, keyboards, scanners, printers, speakers, hard drives and microphones.
Does Florida’s Tax-Free Holiday Apply to Online Purchases?
Yes, Florida residents can take advantage of tax-free holidays online. Just make sure you are buying eligible items during the eligible time period. As long as the item is available from the retailer for immediate shipment you will save on tax, luckily, even if the item ships after the tax-free holiday is over.
- Watch out for shipping and handling fees on online purchases. When shopping online, your shipping and handling fees will count toward the overall cost of your item potentially pushing that item over the limit for tax free. However, consider, if you are purchasing multiple items the shipping and handling fee will be split among your items overall, therefore reducing that item’s price and perhaps keeping you on budget for tax-free status.
Can You Use Gift Cards During Florida Tax-Free Holidays?
Yes, you can use gift cards during Florida tax-free holidays, and in fact, it’s smart to do so! Without added tax on your purchase, you will be able to buy more than usual with your gift card amount, as long as the items you are buying qualify for the tax-free status.
However, you can’t use a gift card to bring down an item’s price to get tax-free status. If the jacket you want is $150, and you have a $100 gift card, you still have to pay tax on that jacket, even though you paid less than $100 out of pocket.
Are Coupons Allowed During Florida Tax-Free Holidays?
Yes, coupons are allowed during Florida tax-free holidays and they may even affect your tax-exempt status. If you’re using a coupon offered by the retailer, you can use it to bring down the price below the tax-free threshold and avoid paying tax. For example, if you buy a $125 jacket but a coupon brings the price down to $80, you paid the retailer $80 and now you’ll also get to take advantage of the tax-free holiday on that jacket.
However, rebates and manufacturer coupons (which reimburse the retailer) are different. Because the retailer is reimbursed for these types of offers, the overall price is not reduced in the eyes of the law, and you’ll still owe tax if the item is above the tax-free threshold. For example, if you buy jeans priced at $105, even if you have a $10 rebate offer, those jeans are still $105 for the purposes of tax-free weekend (and you’ll therefore owe sales tax).
Can You Return or Exchange Items During Florida Tax-Free Holidays?
Yes. You can still return or exchange items during Florida tax-free holidays, but make sure to have your original receipt. If you want full reimbursement for items purchased before tax-free holidays, you’ll need to prove with documentation that tax was paid with a valid receipt. For exchanges, if it’s the same item (different size, different color) no tax will be due. However, if you exchange an item after the tax holiday for a different item, the new item is subject to sales tax.
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