NEWS & INSIGHTS
Florida’s 2025 Sales Tax Holidays: Back-to-School and Outdoor Gear Go Tax-Free
Florida’s 2025 sales tax holiday season is here, and it brings two major opportunities for consumers to save: one for students and families, and another for hunters, anglers, and campers. Whether you’re loading up backpacks or tackle boxes, there’s a tax break waiting for you.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday (TIP 25A01-08) and the Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Holiday (TIP 25A01-09).
📝 1. Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday (August 1–31, 2025)
Florida’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday runs from August 1 to August 31, 2025. It applies to families, students, and educators buying school-related goods for personal, noncommercial use.
Tax-Free Items Include:
- Clothing and accessories up to $100 each (e.g., shirts, backpacks, shoes)
- School supplies up to $50 each (e.g., notebooks, pens, folders, crayons)
- Learning aids up to $30 (e.g., flashcards, puzzle books, memory games)
- Personal computers and accessories up to $1,500
Limitations:
- Items must be for personal use—not business or commercial purchases
- No exemptions inside theme parks, airports, or public lodgings
- Bundled items or sets with taxable items lose the exemption
🏕️ 2. Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Sales Tax Holiday (Sept. 8–Dec. 31, 2025)
This new seasonal exemption offers savings on outdoor gear. From September 8 through December 31, 2025, Florida exempts a wide variety of items used in hunting, fishing, and camping.
Tax-Free Camping Items:
- Tents (up to $200)
- Sleeping bags, camp stoves, hammocks, collapsible chairs (up to $50)
- Lanterns and flashlights (up to $30)
Tax-Free Fishing Gear:
- Rods and reels (up to $75 individually / $150 as a set)
- Tackle boxes and bags (up to $30)
- Bait and tackle (up to $5 individually / $10 as a set)
Tax-Free Hunting Gear:
- Firearms and ammunition
- Bows, crossbows, arrows, and accessories
- Holsters, stocks, pistol grips, scopes, and sights
Restrictions:
- Rentals and commercial purchases are excluded
- Bundled taxable and exempt items lose eligibility
- Rain checks and gift cards have specific conditions
Quick Comparison
| Category | Dates | Tax-Free Items | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back-to-School | Aug 1 – Aug 31, 2025 | Clothes, school supplies, PCs | Personal use only, $1,500 PC limit |
| Outdoor Gear | Sept 8 – Dec 31, 2025 | Hunting, fishing, camping gear | Includes firearms, tents, rods, ammo |
Summary of What’s Tax-Free in Florida’s 2025 Sales Tax Holidays
Florida’s 2025 sales tax holidays offer two distinct tax-free windows—one for education-related items and one for outdoor recreational gear. Here’s what qualifies during each holiday:
Back-to-School (Aug. 1–31):
- Clothing and accessories priced at $100 or less
- School supplies priced at $50 or less
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles priced at $30 or less
- Personal computers and accessories priced at $1,500 or less
Hunting, Fishing, and Camping (Sept. 8–Dec. 31):
- Tents, lanterns, sleeping bags, chairs, and stoves
- Fishing rods, reels, bait, and tackle
- Firearms, ammunition, bows, and crossbows
Final Thoughts
Florida’s 2025 sales tax holidays offer targeted relief for students, parents, sportsmen, and outdoor enthusiasts. These are not year-round exemptions—but they’re generous and extended, offering Floridians a chance to save smart.
Whether you’re sharpening pencils or sighting scopes, now’s the time to make those purchases tax-free.
Keywords:
Florida sales tax holidays 2025, Florida back-to-school tax exemption, Florida hunting and fishing tax holiday, camping gear tax-free Florida, tax-free school supplies Florida, TIP 25A01-08, TIP 25A01-09, Florida sales tax savings, Florida Department of Revenue exemptions, Florida tax-free weekends 2025
© 2025 Jeanette Moffa. All Rights Reserved.
It runs from August 1 through August 31, 2025. During this time, school-related items are exempt from Florida sales tax if they meet eligibility requirements.
Eligible items include clothing priced at $100 or less, school supplies at $50 or less, learning aids at $30 or less, and personal computers and accessories up to $1,500.
Yes, if they are priced at $1,500 or less and purchased for personal, noncommercial use. Business purchases do not qualify.
It begins on September 8 and ends December 31, 2025. The exemption applies to a wide range of outdoor gear.
Tents (up to $200), sleeping bags, stoves, lanterns, hammocks, and collapsible chairs (generally up to $50) are exempt from sales tax.
Yes. Fishing rods and reels are tax-free up to $75 individually or $150 as a set. Tackle and bait are exempt if under specific price limits.
Yes. Firearms, ammunition, bows, crossbows, and related accessories are fully exempt under TIP 25A01-09 from September 8 to December 31, 2025.
Yes. Items sold at theme parks, public lodgings, and airports do not qualify. Also, business/commercial purchases are excluded.
Yes, if you use the gift card to purchase eligible items during the tax holiday window. Buying the gift card itself is not taxable.
If you exchange it for the same item, no tax is due. If you return it and buy a taxable item instead, the new item is subject to sales tax.
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Jeanette Moffa, Esq.
(954) 800-4138
JeanetteMoffa@MoffaTaxLaw.com
Jeanette Moffa is a Partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Moffa, Sutton, & Donnini. She focuses her practice in Florida state and local tax. Jeanette provides SALT planning and consulting as part of her practice, addressing issues such as nexus and taxability, including exemptions, inclusions, and exclusions of transactions from the tax base. In addition, she handles tax controversy, working with state and local agencies in resolution of assessment and refund cases. She also litigates state and local tax and administrative law issues.
