Back-to-school savings begin with sales tax holiday: Shop WINK Smart, what you need to know

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — Florida's school sales tax holiday is starting on July 20 this year, offering shoppers a month of tax-free savings on school supplies, technology, clothes and more.

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The tax-free period runs for 30 days, ending Aug. 20. For most southwest Florida children, school starts in about three weeks.

There are parameters with the tax-free holiday. 

Here is what qualifies for the tax exemption: 

• School supplies valued at $50 or less
• Electronics and devices valued at $1,500 or less
• Clothing, shoes and accessories valued at $100 or less

The tax holiday applies to online shoppers as well.

To ensure tax exemption, shoppers must purchase all items before the holiday ends. Anything left in the online shopping cart after Aug. 20 will not qualify. 

As long as the items are ordered and qualify under the Florida State Revenue Department's list, there should be no taxes, even if the delivery date is after Aug. 20. 

If shoppers are charged tax during the holiday period, they should bring their receipt back to the store and ask for a refund. Consumers are advised to provide a copy of the tax holiday rules to the seller if needed.

Here is a full list of what is tax-free for the next month.

• Personal computers or personal computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use having a sales price of $1,500 or less:
  • Personal computers* include:
  • Calculators
  • Desktops
  • Electronic book readers
  • Handhelds
  • Laptops
  • Tablets
  • Tower computers
    *The term does not include cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices that are not primarily designed to process data.

• Personal computer-related accessories*+ include:
  • Keyboards
  • Mice
  • Modems
  • Monitors
  • Nonrecreational software
  • Other peripheral devices
  • Personal digital assistants
  • Routers
    *The listed accessories are tax-exempt regardless of whether they are used in association with a personal computer base unit.
    + The term does not include furniture or systems, devices, software, monitors with a television tuner, or peripherals that are designed or intended primarily for recreational use.
    
    
• Wallets and bags* having a sales price of $100 or less per item, including:
  • Backpacks
  • Diaper bags
  • Fanny packs
  • Handbags
    *Briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags are excluded.
    
    
• School supplies having a sales price of $50 or less per item, including:
  • Binders
  • Cellophane tape
  • Compasses
  • Composition books
  • Computer disks
  • Construction paper
  • Crayons
  • Erasers
  • Folders
  • Glue or paste
  • Legal pads
  • Lunch boxes
  • Markers
  • Notebooks
  • Notebook filler paper
  • Pencils
  • Pens
  • Poster board
  • Poster paper
  • Protractors
  • Rulers
  • Scissors
  • Staplers and staples used to secure paper products
    
    
• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles having a sales price of $30 or less:
  • Flashcards or other learning cards
  • Interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills
  • Matching or other memory games
  • Puzzle books and search-and-find books
  • Stacking or nesting blocks or sets
    
    
• Clothing, footwear, and accessories having a sales price of $100 or less per item, including:
  • Shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, shorts, and other apparel
  • Shoes, boots, sandals, and other footwear
  • Accessories such as belts, hats, gloves, and scarves

For more information on the sales tax holiday, click here.