Florida's 2020 Sales Tax Holiday Weekend Offers New Savings

MIAMI, FL — If you've been waiting for the right moment to buy a new computer for yourself or your family, you may want to take advantage of Florida’s 2020 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday this weekend, which will save you the tax on the first $1,000 of your computer purchase.

Unlike other years, there is no cap on the cost of your new laptop or desktop this year. Tablets and electronic readers are also included.

"For the 2019 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday, computers and computer-related accessories selling for $1,000 or less were exempt from tax," a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Revenue told Patch. "However, the law pertaining to the 2020 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday exempts the first $1,000 of the purchase price of computers and computer-related accessories."

That's an important change for consumers. In the past, computer purchases had to be $1,000 or less to get the deal.

But the exemption only applies to the first $1,000 of the sales price of an eligible computer, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. The exemption does not apply to sales of personal computers or computer-related accessories for use in a business.

The savings do not work the same way on clothing. This year's tax exemption applies to items of clothing selling for $60 or less.

Unlike computers, if the clothing item sells for more than $60, the tax is due on the entire selling price.

The tax-free savings do not apply to purchases in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.

The computer savings could amount to $60 if you buy the computer in a Florida county where the tax is 6 percent or $70 if you buy in a county where the sales tax is 7 percent on a computer that costs $1,000 or more. In other words, you'll have to pay the tax on the portion of your purchase above $1,000.

The savings began at 12:01 a.m. Friday and run through 12:59 p.m. on Sunday. The annual event provides tax-free shopping on traditional school supplies and clothing though you don't have to be a student to reap the savings.

You can get this deal at any mall or retail establishment in Florida except at entertainment complexes, theme parks, hotels or airports.

Qualifying items purchased by mail-order, catalog, or online are also exempt when the order is
accepted by the company during the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday for immediate shipment,
even if delivery is made after the sales tax holiday period.

Some smaller businesses may also choose to opt out so it's best to check at the store before you buy. The deal is on top of any other coupons or specials stores may be offering. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts).

Qualifying Purchases

• Binders
• Calculators
• Cellophane (transparent) tape
• Colored pencils
• Compasses
• Composition books
• Computer disks (blank CDs only)
• Construction paper
• Crayons
• Erasers
• Folders
• Glue (stick and liquid)
• Highlighters
• Legal pads
• Lunch boxes
• Markers
• Notebook filler paper
• Notebooks
• Paste
• Pencils, including mechanical and refills
• Pens, including felt, ballpoint, fountain, highlighters, and refills
• Poster board
• Poster paper
• Protractors
• Rulers
• Scissors
• Staplers and staples (used to secure paper products)

What Doesn’t Qualify
Tax breaks will not apply on the following items:

• Books not otherwise exempt
• Computer paper
• Correction tape, fluid, or pens
• Masking tape
• Printer paper

For more information about the sales tax holiday, visit the Florida Department of Revenue online.