The Sunshine State has introduced several changes to its sales tax holidays for 2026, offering residents new opportunities to save on essential purchases. Among the most notable updates are the back-to-school tax holiday and the newly established hunting, fishing, and camping tax holiday.
These changes reflect Florida’s ongoing efforts to provide financial relief to its residents while promoting education and outdoor recreation. Let’s dive into the details of these tax holidays and how they can benefit you.
Back-to-school tax holiday: earlier start and expanded savings
The back-to-school tax holiday in Florida has been made permanent and has seen its dates adjusted to better accommodate families’ shopping needs. Originally scheduled to run through August, the holiday now begins on July 20 and continues until August 20.
During this period, a wide range of school suppliesclothing and electronics are exempt from sales tax, provided they fall within the specified price limits. Some of the eligible items include:
- Clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less
- School supplies such as pens, pencils, notebooks, and binders priced at $50 or less
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles priced at $30 or less
- Personal computers and related accessories priced at $1,500 or less for noncommercial home use
The new hunting, fishing, and camping tax holiday
In addition to the back-to-school tax holiday, Florida has introduced a new hunting, fishing, and camping tax holiday that runs from September 1 to December 31. This holiday aims to encourage outdoor recreation by offering tax exemptions on a variety of gear and equipment.
Eligible items include:
- Tents priced at $200 or less
- Fishing rods and reels priced at $150 or less when sold as a set or $75 or less when sold individually
- Sleeping bagsportable hammocks and camping stoves priced at $50 or less
- Camping lanternsflashlights and tackle boxes priced at $30 or less
- Bait and fishing tackle priced at $20 or less when sold together or $10 or less when sold individually
Permanent exemptions and other changes
Under the new legislation, many items that were previously eligible for tax exemptions during temporary sales tax holidays have been made permanent or moved to different holidays. For instance, a variety of disaster preparedness supplies are now exempt from sales tax year-round, allowing residents to purchase qualifying hurricane supplies at any time.
Moreover, some admissions, such as those to Florida State Parks have become permanently exempt from sales tax. However, not all benefits have survived the transition. Notably, the temporary sales tax exemption for gym memberships has been discontinued.
These changes reflect Florida’s commitment to providing financial relief to its residents while promoting education, outdoor recreation, and disaster preparedness. By understanding the new tax holiday structure, shoppers can make informed decisions and maximize their savings throughout the year.
