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Florida 2026 sales tax holiday dates you need to know

By Doris Alvarez Cea and Cheryl McCloud, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
Florida sales tax holiday for school supplies will be July 20-Aug. 20, 2026.
Florida sales tax holiday for school supplies will be July 20-Aug. 20, 2026. GRAPHIC PROVIDED BY FLORIDA DEPA USA TODAY Network, Reuters

School start is a little over a month away and Florida's 2026 free sales tax holiday dates have been confirmed.

This year, the state will offer two major sales tax holidays. The first is a month-long back-to-school sales tax holiday, followed by a more than three-month sales tax holiday on hunting, fishing and camping supplies.

As students make the most of their summer break, the back-to-school sales tax holiday is an ideal opportunity for families to save money on eligible school supplies, clothing, computers and other technology before classes begin.

Most students in Jacksonville and across Florida are scheduled to return to the classroom on Aug. 10.

Here's what shoppers can buy tax-free during the 2026 back-to-school sales tax holiday, and which outdoor items are included as part of the hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday.

Shop Amazon for school supplies

When does school start in Jacksonville for the 2026-2027 school year?

  • The first day of school for Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) is Monday, August 10, 2026.
  • The first day of school for students in the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) is Monday, August 10, 2026.
  • The first day of school for students in Nassau County School District is Monday, August 10, 2026.
  • The first day of school for Clay County Schools (CCDS) is Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

When is Florida's 2026 back-to-school sales tax holiday? See dates to shop in Jacksonville

Florida's 2026 back-to-school sales tax holiday for school supplies will run from July 20 through Aug. 20.

When is Florida's 2026 hunting, fishing, camping sales tax holiday?

Florida's 2026 sales tax holiday on hunting, fishing and camping supplies will run from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31.

Shopping in Jacksonville? What school supplies will be tax-exempt this 2026-2027 school year?

The following items will be tax exempt from July 20-Aug. 20:

  • Personal computers or personal computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use having a sales price of $1,500 or less
  • Specific personal computer-related accessories
  • Wallets and bags having a sales price of $100 or less
  • School supplies having a sales price of $50 or less per item
  • Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles having a sales price of $30 or less
  • Clothing, footwear, and accessories having a sales price of $100 or less

Go to floridarevenue.com for a complete list of all items included in the sales tax holiday.

What hunting, fishing, camping supplies will be tax exempt this year?

Tax-exempt items this year include:

  • Hunting supplies
    • Ammunition
    • Firearms
    • Bows
  • Camping and fishing supplies
    • Bait or fishing tackle $5 or less
    • Flashlights, tackle boxes or bags of $30 or less
    • Camping stoves, sleeping bags, collapsible camping chairs of $50 or less
    • Rods and reels of $75 or less if sold individually
      • $150 or less if sold as set
    • Tents of $200 or less

Go to floridarevenue.com for a complete list of all items included in the sales tax holiday.

Is there a tax holiday in Florida for hurricane supplies?

No. On Aug. 1, 2025, the sales tax on specific hurricane supplies was permanently removed.

Among the items now permanently exempt from sales taxes are:

  • batteries
  • portable generators
    • capable of producing 10,000 running watts or less
  • waterproof tarps
    • must be 1,000 square feet or less
  • portable gas cans
    • capacity of 5 gallons or less
  • ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
  • smoke detectors or smoke alarms
  • carbon monoxide detectors
  • fire extinguishers that meet certain requirements
  • life jackets
  • sunscreen
  • insect repellent

Bottled water, first aid kits, and many food items purchased at the grocery store were tax-free prior to the passage of the permanent exemptions added in 2025.

When does school start in Florida?

The earliest start day for school in Florida is Aug. 10.

The majority of Florida's students will return for the 2026-2027 school year on that date, with the remainder returning in the days following.

Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville's best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida 2026 sales tax holiday dates you need to know

Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea and Cheryl McCloud, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Florida's hunting, fishing and camping sales tax holiday will be from Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2026.
Florida's hunting, fishing and camping sales tax holiday will be from Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2026. GRAPHIC PROVIDED BY FLORIDA DEPA USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Tax-exempt items for the 2026 back-to-school sales tax holiday.
Tax-exempt items for the 2026 back-to-school sales tax holiday. GRAPHIC PROVIDED BY FLORIDA DEPA USA TODAY Network, Reuters
See list of tax-exempt items for 2026 in Florida.
See list of tax-exempt items for 2026 in Florida. GRAPHIC PROVIDED BY FLORIDA DEPA USA TODAY Network, Reuters
The Wausau library is hosting a free school supply swap June 1–6. Drop off gently used supplies and pick up what you need on June 6.
The Wausau library is hosting a free school supply swap June 1–6. Drop off gently used supplies and pick up what you need on June 6. Provided by MCPL USA TODAY Network, Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 12:13 PM.