ISSUE TWENTY SEVEN | AUGUST 2025

Back-to-School Tax Holiday

Last month Governor Ron DeSantis announced the return of Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. This will run from August 1 – August 31, 2025, encompassing the entire month, instead of previous years lasting for only a week.

“Proud to deliver additional sales tax holidays, including the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday that begins on August 1. With the new school year just around the corner, Florida families can save on back-to-school shopping during the tax holiday for the entire month of August,” said Governor Ron DeSantis when adjusting the timeline in July. “By cutting taxes, empowering parents, and growing our economy, we're making it easier for people to live, work, and thrive in the Free State of Florida.”

What is included in Florida's tax-free holiday 2025? School supplies priced up to $50. Clothing and accessories priced up to $100. Personal computers and computer accessories priced up to $1,500. Some examples include binders, notebooks, lunch boxes, backpacks, shoes, shirts, books, laptops and headphones.

For more information and to view lists of qualifying items, visit: FloridaRevenue.com/BackToSchool.

Beware of Spammers

Spam calls are becoming increasingly prevalent with sophisticated tactics. Scammers have figured out countless ways to cheat people out of money and gain personal information over the phone. In some scams, they act friendly or helpful and often “clone” familiar phone numbers or entities, to encourage you to answer their calls. In other instances, they threaten to try to scare or intimidate you into sharing personal information over the phone.

Types of scams:

• Impersonator scams

• Debt Relief and Credit Repair scams

• Business and Investment scams

• Charity scams

• Extended Car Warranties

• “Free” Trials

• IRS delinquency scams

• Failure to pay various bills, including termination of utilities

How to Avoid Being Scammed:

• Never send money via gift card or wire transfer to someone you have never met face to face

• Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unsolicited messages

• Hang Up on unwelcome calls

• Consider call blocking

• Never share personally identifiable information

• Add your number to the National Do Not Call register

• Be careful what you share on social media

If you’ve lost money to a phone scam or have information about the company or scammer who called you, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you didn’t lose money and just want to report a call, use the streamlined reporting form at DoNotCall.gov.

• August 1st was World Lung Cancer awareness day. This is a day to spread awareness about lung cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment advancements.

• The predominant birthstone for August is peridot, which is created from molten lava. It is thought to represent power, healing, and defense against evil and nightmares.

• August is an essential month for vegetable harvesting, with many vegetables reaching their peak flavor and nutrition levels. The most popular vegetables harvested during this month include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and peas, which are all available in abundance and at their freshest.

• On August 17, 2008, American swimmer Michael Phelps became the first person to win eight gold medals in one Olympic Games.

Around the Town: 6th Annual Jax Elite Expo

Tim Miller and Teresa Mask recently participated as Healthcare vendors in the 6th annual Jax Elite Barber and Beauty Expo at the Prime Osborne Convention Center in Jacksonville Florida.

Tim participated and was interviewed on a panel discussing healthcare, benefits and wellness and how that impacts the over 300+ entrepreneurs that are in the Beauty & Barber Industry that were in attendance that day.

It was an energetic expo with hair cutting and styling contests, radio broadcasts, live music and engaging panel discussions that were designed to help entrepreneurs grow their business as their careers develop. Social Media influencers were marketing to Miami, Atlanta and Puerto Rico, along with the local Jacksonville area. Industry professionals, trend setters and even a few Jacksonville Jaguars were part of the event and our Agency was excited to share how a full benefit package can help attract and retain both W-2 and 1099 associates.

https://www.jaxeliteexpo.com/

Elite Services: Insurance Designed with You in Mind

Our Mission: To treat our clients like family - assisting, educating and providing benefits that protect them and their loved ones through all stages of life. We help unlock the mysteries of Healthcare and educate clients while being a resource they can readily turn to for answers.

Learn about exclusive benefit options for Florida's First Responders