Florida’s Tax Free Weekend

Florida governor, Rick Scott recently passed another measure intended to bring him closer to achieving one of his administration’s goals, which is to lower sales tax across the state. To this end, Governor Scott signed a bill into law in May that will result in an estimated $180 million tax cut. Included in the law were two sales tax holidays that were scheduled for this summer. The first holiday weekend took place between June second and fourth and lasted three days. The second will take place from August fourth through the sixth. The passage of the tax holiday bill could save taxpayers a significant amount in sales tax charges, so if you have questions about what items are tax free and how this will affect you or your business, please contact a Florida tax attorney who is familiar with state law and can offer you advice and guidance.

June Tax Holiday 

The first weekend that was set apart as a sales tax holiday in the recently signed bill took place on June second and lasted for three days. During that time, Florida residents could purchase emergency preparedness items without paying sales tax, including:

• Ice;
• Batteries under $30;
• First-aid kits;
• Portable self-powered lights under $20;
• Gas tanks;
• Tarpaulins;
• Tie-down kits;
• Ground anchor systems;
• Coolers; and
• Generators under $750.

The weekend tax holiday is expected to save state residents around $4.5 million.

August Tax Holiday 

The second summer sales tax holiday will start at 12:01 a.m. on Friday the fourth and end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, the sixth of August. The holiday will generally apply to school supply items that cost less than $15, such as:

• Pens and pencils;
• Binders;
• Lunch boxes;
• Calculators;
• Cellophane tape;
• Colored pencils;
• Crayons;
• Construction paper;
• Notebook filler paper;
• Poster paper; and
• Scissors.

Computers and computer accessories that cost less than $750 can also be purchased free of sales tax as long as they are being purchased for noncommercial personal use. Eligible computer equipment includes laptops, tablets, e-book readers, and data storage, such as jump, flash, and thumb drives. However, not all school supplies will be tax free. For instance, books, masking tape, printer paper, staplers, staples, and correction tape fluid and pens will all not be exempt from sales tax.

The sales tax holiday also applies to back-to-school items that do not necessarily fall under the category of school supplies, as long as they cost less than $60. These items include:

• Clothes;
• Shoes;
• Wallets;
• Purses; and
• Backpacks.

The state legislature estimates that the tax holiday will save taxpayers around $33.4 million.

Call an Experienced Orlando Tax Attorney Today 

The recently enacted law could have a significant impact on the amount of sales tax that Florida residents are required to pay. To learn more about these and other tax breaks, please contact Ronald Cutler, P.A. at 386-490-9949 to schedule a free one-on-one consultation with a knowledgeable tax attorney. You can also reach a member of our legal team by sending us an online message.

Resource:

sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/florida-politics-blog/fl-pn-gov-rick-scott-boca-raton-20170525-story.html