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17 Best Things To Buy During Florida’s Tax-Free Month

This tax-free month is dedicated to a more affordable summer.

Fair carnival rides and tent top against blue sky
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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If you’ve ever complained about the cost of fun being too high, then this month is for you. The Sunshine State is making your favorite summer activities more affordable with the ‘Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday.’

For an entire month, everything you need to make this summer memorable is absolutely tax-free. This is your opportunity to plan the ultimate summer in Florida — at a discount.

Not sure where to start? Here are 17 of the best things to buy from July 1 to July 31 during Florida’s tax-free month to help you get ahead financially this summer.

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Pool toys

Africa Studio/Adobe inflatable rings mattress and ball

Dive into summer with tax savings on pool toys of $35 or less. This is your chance to grab pool floats, rings, and other pool games that will make pool parties or days in the baby pool feel like a resort-worthy getaway.

Goggles and snorkels

yanlev/Adobe goggles in swimming pool

Whether you have a swim team enthusiast in the house or you want to explore the marine life waiting below the surface, tax-free month is the best time to grab goggles and snorkels that are $25 or less.

Canoes and kayaks

Jonas/Adobe red plastic kayak on water

Ready to bring on the summer adventure? If you buy a canoe or kayak that’s $500 or less, you can take advantage of the tax-free savings. On a purchase of this size, that savings can make a big impact.

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Museum admission

galitskaya/Adobe family at museum exhibit

If you plan on going to a museum once, the tax savings are nice (and you can’t beat an air-conditioned museum on a hot July day!). But the real savings here is when you buy an annual pass.

State parks

Irina Schmidt/Adobe everglades national park

Similar to museums, the savviest way to save on state parks during the July tax-free holiday is to buy an annual pass. While the more you spend, the more you save isn’t always the smartest motto, this is one place where it does make sense.

Cultural events

VIAR PRO studio/Adobe ballet dancer on stage

Do you plan on attending cultural events like ballet, theater, plays, concerts, or musical theater performances this summer? What about later in the year? This July, you’ll save on both single-show tickets as well as season tickets. 

If you’ve always dreamed of becoming a season ticket holder to the ballet, this is the time to make it happen.

Fairs

kirkikis/Adobe carousel and ferris wheel

Nothing says summer like the state fair, and when you save on the tickets thanks to the tax-free month, that means you have more money to spend on roller coasters and fried Oreos.

Sporting events

Jacob Lund/Adobe fans cheering during a match

If your favorite summer plans include eating a hot dog at a baseball game, then you’re in luck. Tickets to sporting events fall under the tax-free month, which means you might want to fit in more than one July excursion to the ballpark.

Bicycles

ramonespelt/Adobe road bike with a cyclist pedaling

Whether you want a new bike for cruising around town or you’re teaching a little one to ride a two-wheeler, you should plan your big bike purchase in the month of July. You’ll save on taxes on any bike that’s $500 or less.

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Bicycle helmets

Kati Finell/Adobe red bicycle helmet

Don’t get on a bike without a helmet! Pick up a sturdy new helmet this summer and save on taxes for helmets that are $50 or less.

Grills

Lukas Gojda/Adobe grill on the garden

What’s summer without a perfectly grilled hot dog? You can save on grills during July in Florida as long as the grill is $250 or less. That’s plenty of budget to get you a gas or charcoal grill.

Paddleboards and surfboards

NicoElNino/Adobe stand up paddle boarding

If you’ve dreamt of catching a wave, then make this the summer you finally splurge on a surfboard. If it’s $300 or less, you’ll get it tax-free during July in Florida. You can also get a paddleboard if you’re looking for a more relaxed adventure.

Life jackets and paddles

mraoraor/Adobe life jacket on wood table

Safety first on the water! Pick up a life jacket or a paddle for $75 or less during July’s tax-free month and you’ll save while also prioritizing a safer summer.

Coolers

Drobot Dean/Adobe beer bottles in an icebox

Need somewhere to store your cold drinks or your bait for fishing? Coolers that are $75 or less qualify during the ‘Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday.’

Tents

THINK b/Adobe tent in park

Whether you go camping in the state park or your backyard, a tent makes it feel like an authentic summer experience. You can pick up a new tent this July without tax as long as it’s $200 or less.

Sunscreen

bnenin/Adobe woman putting on sun lotion

Sunscreen is perhaps the most important part of summer preparation. Pick up everything from SPF 75 for your face to waterproof SPF for your body, and get it tax free during July. Stock up on all the sunscreen you’ll need year-round (just watch expiration dates!).

Water bottles

New Africa/Adobe woman holding thermos bottle

Need a fancy new water bottle to get you through summer’s most sweltering days? You can save during July on water bottles that are $30 or less.

Bottom line

Dmitrijs Dmitrijevs/Adobe crowd in the mall

For savvy spenders in Florida, this tax-free month is an opportunity to set yourself up for a less expensive year. Start saving now so you can splurge on everything you need this summer and beyond.

Buy outdoor supplies that will cover you throughout the fall, winter, and spring, or pick up an annual pass to a state park or museum (these are included!). It’s worth budgeting money now to make sure you can save on all your essentials for summer.

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Author Details

Heather Bien

Heather Bien is a writer covering personal finance and budgeting and how those relate to life, travel, entertaining, and more. With bylines that include The Spruce, Apartment Therapy, and mindbodygreen, she's covered everything from tax tips for freelancers to budgeting hacks to how to get the highest ROI out of your home renovations.