Back-to-school tax-free weekend 2019: The shopping holiday is longer and includes technology

Naples Daily News

It's time to start preparing students to get back to school. The first day of school for Collier County students is Aug. 13 and ahead of that is the back-to-school tax-free holiday.

This year the break from sales taxes is longer, and unlike last year, technology is included. Florida's sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 2 and runs through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 6.

You have five days, up from three days last year, to save at least 6% in state and local taxes on purchases of computers and accessories up to $1,000, when purchased for noncommercial or personal use; clothes, footwear and certain accessories selling for $60 or less; and most school supplies up to $15.

And:Complete list of what's exempt for 2019 school shopping holiday

Nationally, the average family shopping for K-12 students is expected to spend $696.70, the highest in survey history, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey. The Florida Retail Federation reports the tax-free holiday is the state's second busiest shopping holiday behind Black Friday. So pack your patience or consider online shopping, which also is exempt from tax during the days.

Just because items are exempt from tax, doesn't mean they will be at the lowest prices of the season. Make sure to check and compare prices. Coupons and discounts do apply during the sales tax holiday. Macy's, JCPenney, Aldi and other retailers will run sales simultaneously with tax-free weekend, allowing shoppers to maximize their potential savings.

We've listed some of the more popular items that will be exempt from taxes. To see the full list visit floridarevenue.com/backtoschool.

Computers and computer-related accessories

Desktop, laptop and tablets for noncommercial or personal use
Car adapters for laptop computers
Computer batteries
Computer towers
Electronic book readers
Hard drives
Headphones, earbuds
Printers
Ink cartridges
Routers
Scanners
Software (non-recreational)

Cameras, cases, smart phones, and gaming consoles are some of the items that do not qualify for the exemption. Click here for the full list.

More:Your savings guide for Florida's back-to-school sales tax holiday

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Clothing and accessories

Jackets, jeans, leggings, blouses, pants, shirts, underclothes, robes
Fitness clothing
Handbags, purses, wallets
Backpacks and book bags
Bicycle helmets (youth)
Shoes (including athletic shoes)
Swim suits and trunks

Jewelry, luggage, sunglasses and umbrellas do not qualify. Click here for the full list.

School supplies

Notebooks, binders, folders, notebook filler paper, legal pads
Lunch boxes
Pens, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, markers, highlighters
Calculators
Compasses, protractors, rulers, scissors, staplers and staples
Poster board, poster paper, construction paper
Glue, paste, Cellophane (transparent) tape

Computer paper and masking tape do not qualify. Click here for the full list.

2019's sales tax holiday does not apply to:

Any item of clothing selling for more than $60
Any school supply item selling for more than $15
Books that are not otherwise exempt
Computers and computer-related accessories purchased for commercial purposes
Rentals or leases of any eligible items
Repairs or alterations of any eligible items
Sales of any eligible items in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.

USA TODAY's Kelly Tyko contributed to this report.