Florida Sales Tax Holiday August 12-14, 2011 / BOOKS ARE NOT EXEMPT THIS YEAR

August 12-14, 2011  is Sales Tax Holiday in Florida

No Sales Tax Collected on Eligible School Supplies

From http://landolakes.patch.com/articles/floridas-sales-tax-holiday-set-for-aug-12-14

Heads up parents, here's something you need to know when planning your school shopping.Florida's 2011 Sales Tax Holiday is very different than last year. This year, books will not be exempt, but price of eligible items has increased.

The dates for the 2011 Sales Tax Holiday are Aug. 12 -14. This year, no sales tax will be collected on sales of clothing, footwear and certain accessories selling for $75 or less, or on certain school supplies selling for $15 or less. Books are not included in this year's sales tax holiday.

This is much different from last year's Sales Tax Holiday when the tax break for eligible clothing, footwear and accessories was $50 or less, and the tax break for eligible school supplies was $10 or less. Last year, certain books were eligible for the tax holiday.

It is very important to remember that only clothing, footwear and certain accessories priced at $75 or below are eligible for the sales tax break. The tax break does not apply to items priced over $75. For example, if you were to purchase an item that costs $80, tax would be due on the entire $80 because this item does not qualify for the tax break. 

The same goes for school supplies, those that are priced at $15 or below are eligible for the sales tax break. 

Some other rules for 2011 Sales Tax Holiday-

• You do not have to purchase items separately to qualify for the sales tax break. The exemption is based on the sales price of each item not the total sales amount on the invoice. For example, if you bought three shirts at the same time, and the shorts each cost $75, all shirts would qualify for the sales tax exemption because they are priced at $75 or less. This is also the same for each qualifying school supply that costs $15 or less.
• There is no limit on the number of items you can purchase during the Sales Tax Holiday.
• Manufacturers' coupons do not reduce the sales price of an item.
• Store coupons and discounts reduce the sales price of an item.
• Businesses do not have the option of participating in the Sales Tax Holiday. All businesses that sell items listed in the Sales Tax Holiday must participate with the exception of theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishments and airports.
• If you buy tax exempt items and realize you were charged tax, you should take your receipt to the store owner and ask for a refund of the tax.