It's time to start preparing students to get back to school. The first day of school for Leon County students is Aug. 12, and ahead of that is the back-to-school tax-free holiday.

This year the break from sales taxes is longer and unlike last year, technology is included. Florida's sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday and runs through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

You have five days, up from three days last year, to save state and local taxes on purchases of computers and accessories up to $1,000, when purchased for noncommercial or personal use; clothes, footwear and certain accessories selling for $60 or less; and most school supplies up to $15.

Nationally, the average family shopping for K-12 students is expected to be $696.70, the highest in survey history, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey. The Florida Retail Federation reports the tax-free holiday is the state's second busiest shopping holiday behind Black Friday. So pack your patience or consider online shopping, which also is exempt from tax during the days.

Just because items are exempt from tax, doesn't mean they will be at the lowest prices of the season. Make sure to check and compare prices. Coupons and discounts do apply during the sales tax holiday. Macy's, JCPenney, Aldi and other retailers will run sales simultaneously with tax-free weekend, allowing shoppers to maximize their potential savings.

We've listed some of the more popular items that will be exempt from taxes. To see the full list visit floridarevenue.com/backtoschool.

Computers and computer-related accessories

Desktop, laptop and tablets for noncommercial or personal use

Car adapters for laptop computers

Computer batteries

Computer towers

Electronic book readers

Hard drives

Headphones, earbuds

Printers

Ink cartridges

Routers

Scanners

Software (non-recreational)

Cameras, cases, smartphones, and gaming consoles are some of the items that do not qualify for the exemption. Click here for the full list.

More:Your savings guide for Florida's back-to-school sales tax holiday

Clothing and accessories

Jackets, jeans, leggings, blouses, pants, shirts, underclothes, robes

Fitness clothing

Handbags, purses, wallets

Backpacks and book bags

Bicycle helmets (youth)

Shoes (including athletic shoes)

Swim suits and trunks

Jewelry, luggage, sunglasses and umbrellas do not qualify. Click here for the full list.

School supplies

Notebooks, binders, folders, notebook filler paper, legal pads

Lunch boxes

Pens, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, markers, highlighters

Calculators

Compasses, protractors, rulers, scissors, staplers and staples

Poster board, poster paper, construction paper

Glue, paste, Cellophane (transparent) tape

Computer paper and masking tape do not qualify. Click here for the full list.

More:Do charter schools pose a threat to local Treasure Coast school districts?

2019's sales tax holiday does not apply to:

Any item of clothing selling for more than $60

Any school supply item selling for more than $15

Books that are not otherwise exempt

Computers and computer-related accessories purchased for commercial purposes

Rentals or leases of any eligible items

Repairs or alterations of any eligible items

Sales of any eligible items in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.

USA TODAY's Kelly Tyko contributed to this report.