TAMPA, Fla. — Florida’s monthlong back-to-school sales tax holiday begins Monday, giving families a chance to save on school supplies — including clothing, shoes, backpacks, computers and other eligible items — as they prepare for the new school year.

State officials estimate that the tax holiday helped parents save approximately $450 million statewide last year.

The savings come at a time when many families are facing higher back-to-school costs. According to the National Education Association, parents are expected to spend between $500 and $900 per child on school supplies this year. Prices for some common school items have increased by 17% to 43%, making tax-free shopping especially valuable.

Retailers such as Walmart and other major stores have been stocking shelves for weeks with notebooks, pencils, folders, glue sticks and other classroom essentials. While every school provides its own supply list, many retailers also make local school supply lists available to help families shop more efficiently.

Many parents are also changing the way they shop. Instead of purchasing everything in a single trip, some are spreading their purchases throughout the month to take advantage of sales and better manage their budgets.

Breeana Prayon, who is shopping for her nieces, said she plans to use the entire tax holiday to gradually purchase supplies.

“If I see something that I know they’ll like, I’ll use that,” she said. “I’ll use the whole month to wait until I can afford to buy a good amount of that stuff and I’ll give it to them so they can be ahead and be prepared to learn.”

Some of the biggest price increases this year have been for shoes, backpacks and school uniforms. Because these items often cost more than basic supplies, families may see greater savings during the tax holiday.

The sales tax exemption covers a wide range of qualifying items. Clothing, shoes and backpacks priced at $100 or less are eligible for tax-free purchase throughout the holiday. Personal computers and computer-related items also qualify, provided they cost less than $1,500.

For more information about the items exempted from sales tax, families can review the complete list compiled by the Florida Department of Revenue.