With the first day of the School District of Lee County’s 2024-2025 calendar year for students just 10 days away, parents can grab supplies at local stores at a discount before they take to the classroom.

The Florida Department of Education and Florida Department of Revenue has once again approved the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which is in effect now through Aug. 11. The sales tax holiday allows Florida families to save money on essential items students need for the upcoming school year.

“Students can achieve remarkable things when provided with the right tools for success,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr, in a release. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Legislature, Florida continues its promise of helping parents purchase school supplies for the coming school year. I encourage all families to take advantage of this great opportunity to save money.”

The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday includes items such as:

• Up to $1,500 for personal computers, tablets, electronic book readers, headphones and related accessories.

• School supplies selling for $50 or less such as binders, notebooks, folders, markers and pencils.

• Backpacks, clothing and footwear up to $100.

• Learning aids and related resources such as flashcards, interactive books and matching games selling for $30 or less.

There is no limit to the number of items one can purchase, as long as the item meets the tax break requirement.

“With the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday in place until the Sunday before classes start this is the perfect opportunity for parents to save some money on supplies for their children and any supplies they might want to donate to their child’s school,” said School District of Lee County spokesperson, Rob Spicker. “Supply lists are available on school websites and at open houses next week. We want our students to have an amazing year and coming ready to learn on day one is a great way to start.”

Items purchased online are exempt when the order is accepted by a company during the sales tax holiday for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the tax holiday.

When it comes to defining learning aids and what would qualify as exempt, the Florida Department of Revenue stated that “learning aids” are flashcards or other learning cards, matching or other memory games, puzzle books and search-and-find books, interactive or electronic books and toys intended to teach reading or math skills, and stacking or nesting blocks or sets.

“The Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is an excellent way for Florida families to save money on the supplies students need for a successful school year,” said Jim Zingale, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Revenue, in a release.

There will be a second Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday during the spring semester of the school year to help families replenish their child’s school supplies.

For more information and to view the lists of qualifying items, visit the Department of Revenue’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday website.