Back-to-School Tax-Free Saturdays Offer Savings for Belizean Families

The Belize Tax Service (BTS) has announced two back-to-school tax-free Saturdays, set for August 15th and 29th, 2026, giving families across Belize, including San Pedro, an opportunity to save on school shopping. The initiative will apply nationwide at participating businesses and cover approved school supplies and laptops, which will be GST-free on the designated days.
The initiative aims to help parents, students, and educators prepare for the new school year at a lower cost. During the tax-free days, General Sales Tax (GST) will be waived on eligible items, including notebooks, textbooks, workbooks, school bags, pencils, crayons, lead pencils, erasers, pencil cases, pens, uniforms and uniform materials, ready-made uniforms, binders and folders, highlighters, markers, pencil sharpeners, calculators, scissors, tape, folder pages, graph paper, typing sheets, rulers, Bristol board, correction fluid, eligible footwear, lunch kits and boxes, socks, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, glue, and laptops.
The tax-free days build on existing exemptions and zero-rated school items, providing additional relief on selected back-to-school purchases over the two Saturdays. BTS said the initiative is designed to make shopping more affordable for families as they stock up before classes begin.
The tax department also reminded shoppers to check their receipts after making purchases to ensure GST has not been incorrectly applied. Any suspected abuse or non-compliance can be reported by calling 613-2773, 613-8375, 614-5731, or 613-2840.
In San Pedro, parents are welcoming the initiative because school expenses can quickly add up at the end of the summer break. One parent said the tax-free days will help stretch her household budget. Another parent noted that the laptop exemption is especially helpful for families whose children need devices for schoolwork. A teacher from New Horizon also noted that even small savings can make a meaningful difference for families preparing their children for school with uniforms and classroom supplies.
Local businesses are also preparing for increased back-to-school shopping. Plett’s Home Builders will be offering promotions from August 14th through the 31st, while Cellular World has prepared a display featuring laptops available for purchase during the tax-free days. Businesses are reminding customers planning to purchase eligible items, particularly laptops, to bring a valid identification document.
As families make their final preparations for the new school year, the initiative is also expected to boost activity for local businesses. The two Saturdays offer residents a chance to stretch their back-to-school dollars while supporting island businesses and keeping more spending within the local economy. For a community where the cost of bringing goods to the island often shows up in retail prices, any additional savings can be especially valuable during the busy back-to-school season.