From ChatGPT
The annual back-to-school tax-free holiday is back — and this year, it’s bigger and more permanent than ever. Florida families can enjoy a full month of tax-free shopping from August 1st through August 31st, thanks to a new law passed earlier this summer.
With Orange County Public Schools set to begin the 2025–26 school year on Monday, August 11, this is the last weekend for Apopka families to stock up on supplies and save before school starts.
Related: Apopka prepares families for back-to-school with safety tips, tax-free shopping, and youth leadership opportunities.
Under House Bill 7031, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 30th, the sales tax holiday is now locked in as a permanent, annual event every August.
What’s Tax-Free?
Shoppers can skip Florida’s 6% sales tax (plus any local surtax) on a wide range of school-related purchases, including:
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Clothing, footwear, and accessories priced at $100 or less per item
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School supplies such as notebooks, pens, folders, markers, and lunch boxes priced at $50 or less
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Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles up to $30 each
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Personal computers and accessories up to $1,500, for non-commercial, home use
Online purchases qualify as long as they’re shipped to a Florida address and meet the eligibility criteria (source).
What’s Not Covered?
Some items do not qualify for the exemption, such as:
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Briefcases, suitcases, watches, jewelry, umbrellas
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Cell phones, video game consoles, and digital media receivers
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Any item priced above the limits listed above
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Items purchased inside theme parks, airports, hotels, or entertainment venues
For a full list of exclusions and fine print, visit the Florida Department of Revenue’s tip sheet here.
A New Permanent Tradition
Florida has offered back-to-school tax holidays for years, but they were usually one or two weeks long. Beginning in 2025, the holiday stretches across the entire month of August — permanently — giving families more time and flexibility to shop.
The longer window is especially helpful for households on tighter budgets, who can now spread purchases across multiple pay periods.
Local retailers in Apopka — including Walmart, Target, Staples, and TJ Maxx — often run additional promotions during this tax-free window, increasing the potential for savings.
School Starts August 11 in Orange County
Orange County Public Schools, including Apopka’s elementary, middle, and high schools, officially return on Monday, August 11th. That gives families two full weekends before school starts to take advantage of the tax-free period — and more time afterward to grab any last-minute items.
To view the full 2025–26 OCPS calendar, visit OCPS.net.
Tips for Apopka Shoppers
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Price matters: only items at or below the price cap are tax-exempt
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Online purchases qualify if delivered to a Florida address
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Computers must be for home/personal use (not business)
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Rain checks and layaway plans count if activated during August
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Watch where you shop — no exemptions at theme parks, airport shops, or hotels
Whether you're shopping for uniforms, backpacks, or a new laptop for the school year, this tax-free month can ease the financial burden for Apopka families.
