More Bang for Your Buck: Tax Free School Supplies

WSVN--Shopping for supplies can be quite expensive. But parents if you're looking for a less "taxing" experience the best time to stock up is now!

Back to school shopping. Kids love it, parents dread it. Just ask, Ann Cook. As a single mom of three girls, she's always looking for ways to save especially on school supplies.

Mother of three Ann Cook: "Every penny counts. You have to watch the sales and buy at the right time."

Good thing for Ann, the right time to buy is right around the corner. Starting this Saturday, July 23rd through Sunday, July 31st the state of Florida is giving shoppers a tax break on school supplies.

State Representative Tim Ryan: "We recognize families have tight budgets and especially as we begin to kick off the back to school season it's important they be able to stretch that budget and buy school items without paying sales tax."

State Representative Tim Ryan says the tax holiday offers great savings for Florida families. Covered under the plan are all supplies under 10 dollars.

Rep.Tim Ryan: "I think you'll be able to outfit most of your kids with school supplies for less than 10 dollars."

You can also save on more expensive items. Clothes, shoes, books and backpacks will also be tax free if they are priced under fifty dollars.

The only catch pricey computers and hi-tech calculators are not included. But just about everything else is.

Lon Phillips from Office Depot: "Its good for everybody. Not just the students. It's good for the parents. It saves everybody money."

Ann's learned her lesson. She loves her daughters but she knows children aren't cheap.

Ann Cook: "You want to take advantage of the tax break because every little penny counts."

The school sales tax will cost state and local government an estimated 38 million dollars. This is the 6th year the state has offered the incentive.

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Contact: lgarrigan@wsvn.com