TAX NEWS - 2010

Florida Tax: Schools Set to Start Before Tax Free Weekend

Bay County, Florida -- Florida is getting a tax free weekend for the first time in 3 years.  But parents sending their children back to school may have to wait on the savings.

Governor Charlie Crist approved the tax free weekend by signing off in May this year.  That's after many school districts like Bay County already chose their restart dates.

The Bay County School Board chose their restart date back in November.  The school was granted the opportunity to go back sooner because of high performance from the previous year.  Students in So, the Bay County District will go back two days before the tax free weekend.  Walton County students start one day before.

Bay District School Board member Ryan Neeves says he wishes the governor would have worked with schools in the state to set a better date for the tax free weekend.  However, he says having school start before the holiday will give parents a better idea of what they need to buy.

Neeves says schools should understand that kids may not have everything they need for the first few days.

"We all live in this community. We all understand timing doesn't always line up. Common sense would tell you there's going to be some leniency those first two days," Neeves said.

The tax free savings will apply to clothing and footwear that cost $50 or less and school supplies that cost $10 or less.  The governor's office says the holiday is expected to save Florida families $26 million.

Bay County Schools begin on August 11th.  Walton County Schools begin August 12th.  Jackson County schools are not affected by the dates set for the tax free weekend because they begin school on August 23rd.