Florida consumers may again get a three-day “back-to-school” sales tax holiday this year.

The House set the dates for HB 737, which would lift local option sales taxes, from Aug. 3-5 on clothing, footwear, wallets and bags that cost $75 or less, and school supplies that are priced below $15.

The move was to accommodate high-performing schools that start earlier in the month.

Sales taxes would remain in place on clothes purchased at theme parks, entertainment venues, airports and public lodging.

The state Revenue Estimating Conference has projected the holiday would cost the state $25.9 million in revenue and local governments an additional $5.9 million.

Once a nine-day event, with the tax lifted on items up to $100, the holiday has been limited to a single weekend in August the past two years.

A similar bill in the Senate, SB 982, is slated to next appear in the Budget Subcommittee on Finance and Tax. read more

By: Jim Turner
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/three-day-sales-tax-holiday-approved-house