Florida retailers are expecting a busy August as shoppers across the Sunshine State take advantage of a 10-day sales-tax holiday.
Last week, the Legislature voted to extend the back-to-school tax holiday to 10 days, a large increase from the usual three-day period. Running from Aug. 7 through Aug. 16, there will be no sales tax on clothes, shoes and bags $100 and less, school supplies up to $15 and the first $750 of personal computers.
Rick McAllister, the president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation (FRF), said the sales-tax holiday will be the largest shopping period outside the Christmas rush.
“Thanks to the commitment of both the Florida Legislature and Gov. Scott on expanding the back-to-school sales-tax holiday, the timing couldn’t be better as Florida families will see extended savings while retailers can expect increased sales,” McAllister said on Wednesday. "Families are already starting to prepare for the upcoming school year, and this annual back-to-school shopping season is the second busiest behind only the winter holidays in terms of sales.”
McAllister pointed to a study from the National Retail Federations’ Retail Insight Center Monthly Consumer Survey which shows 29 percent of families plan to spend more on back-to-school shopping than last year, up from 24 percent in last year’s survey.
Other members of the business community joined the FRF in pushing the extended sales-tax holiday, including the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) and the Florida Chamber of Commerce which made it one of its top tax-cut priorities this year.
McAllister gave the budget passed by the Legislature last week and signed by Gov. Rick Scott solid marks, insisting it would help retailers across the state.
“Florida’s retailers sincerely thank Gov. Scott and the Legislature for coming together to develop a low-tax budget that will help Florida’s small businesses and families,” McAllister said on Tuesday after the budget was signed. “This budget will foster growth for all of our businesses as Florida continues to be the national model for economic success.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
