published: Sunday, July 29, 2012

Tax-free holiday starts Friday

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING - Shoppers, get ready to save a little cash in the upcoming days when the annual tax-free holiday begins Friday.

The state of Florida again brought back the 'holiday' in which the law states that no sales tax (nor local option tax) will be collected on the sales of clothing, footwear and certain accessories selling for $75 or less. School supplies selling for $15 or less will also collect no sales tax during the days of Aug. 3-5. The tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Parents looking to get a jump on some early back-to-school shopping for the youngsters are in luck if they are planning to venture out shopping this weekend.

There is no limit of items per customer under the tax-free holiday.

Clothing that is under the tax-free holiday is defined as "any article of wearing apparel," including footwear with a few exceptions. Items like ski boots, roller blades, skates, and swim fins are not covered in the tax-holiday.

Other clothing items, or accessories, such as wrist watches, bracelets, jewelry or handkerchiefs are also not included in the clothing tax-holiday.

School supplies under the tax-holiday do not include books. Tax-exempt items include pencils, pens, notebooks, paper, lunch boxes, markers, and many other items.

A full list of items that fall under tax-exempt items may be downloaded at the Florida Department of Revenue's website. A full list of sales transactions and non-exempt scenarios, such as manufacture's coupons, rebates and layaways are also available on www.myflorida.com/dor/.

Most stores throughout Highlands County will once again participate in the Tax Holiday giving shoppers and residents ample opportunity to take advantage of the savings and prepare for the upcoming school year.