It's here! The biggest tax holiday weekend in the United States.
In August, 16 states are having what are typically referred to as back-to-school sales tax holidays. Most of them begin today, Friday, Aug. 6.
During the events, which range from two to 10 days, shoppers don't have to pay state sales taxes, and sometimes they also avoid local levies, too, on selected items.
The most popular tax-exempt products are clothing and footwear. Some states also exempt school supplies, with a few including computers and PC peripherals in the no-tax category.
A couple, Louisiana and Massachusetts, have virtually no limits on the types of items that are tax-free.
The table below lists the August back-to-school tax holidays alphabetically by state.
| State | Dates | Items |
| Alabama |
Aug. 6-8 |
School supplies, $50 or less; Books, $30 or less; Computers/software, $750 or less; Clothing, $100 or less Full product listing |
| Connecticut | Aug. 15-21 |
Clothing and footwear, $300 or less Full product listing |
| Florida | Aug. 13-15 |
Clothing, footwear and accessories, $50 or less; Books, $50 or less; School supplies, $10 or less Full product listing |
| Illinois | Aug. 6-15 |
Clothing and footwear, $100 or less; School supplies, no limit Full product listing |
| Iowa | Aug. 6-7 |
Clothing and footwear, $100 or less Full product listing |
| Louisiana | Aug. 6-7 |
Most tangible personal property, $2,500 or less Full product listing |
| Maryland | Aug. 8-14 |
Clothing and footwear, $100 or less Full product listing |
| Massachusetts | Aug. 14-15 |
Most items that cost $2,500 or less Full product listing |
| Missouri | Aug. 6-8 |
Clothing and footwear, $100 or less; Computers & peripherals, $3,500 or less; Computer software, $350 or less; School supplies, $50 or less Full product listing |
| New Mexico | Aug. 6-8 |
Clothing and footwear, $100 or less; Computers, $1,000 or less; Computer peripheral devices, $500 or less; School supplies, $15 to $100 depending on type of supply Full product listing |
| North Carolina | Aug. 6-8 |
Clothing and footwear, $100 or less; School supplies, $100 or less; School instructional materials; $300 or less; Sports/recreation equipment, $50 or less; Computers, $3,500 or less; Computer supplies, $250 or less Full product listing |
| Oklahoma | Aug. 6-8 |
Clothing and footwear, $100 or less Full product listing |
| South Carolina | Aug. 6-8 |
Clothing, accessories and footwear, no maximum; School supplies, no maximum; Computers, printers, computer software, no maximum; Bed linens, bath furnishings, no maximum Full product listing |
| Tennessee | Aug. 6-8 |
Clothing and footwear, $100 or less; School supplies, $100 or less; Computers, $1,500 or less Full product listing |
| Texas | Aug. 20-22 |
Clothing and footwear, less than $100 Backpacks, less than $100 School supplies, less than $100 Full product listing |
| Virginia | Aug. 6-8 |
Clothing and footwear, $100 or less; School supplies, $20 or less Full product listing |
Price limits and/or thresholds on tax-exempt purchases are per item unless otherwise noted.
Look out for special conditions: The state-name links in the table will take you to the official Department of Revenue websites where you can find more details on the
holidays.
Before you hit the malls, check out the info on your holiday, such as exact starting and ending times, which cities and/or counties
will (or won't) participate, and special purchase situations (layaway plans,
coupons, rain checks).
Some of the notable rules and exceptions also are
pointed out in my Bankrate listing of tax holidays.
Not just for kids: While most of these events are tied to retailers' back-to-school sales, it's not just students and/or their parents who can take advantage of the tax-free events.
Bucksome Boomer's Journey to Retirement suggests other reasons to check out the tax-free sales.
Buy supplies for your home office. Many of the school supplies that are on the tax-free lists are also just fine for workers.
Buy gifts. It never hurts to have a small token handy for a birthday that sneaks up on you.
Buy items for your place of worship. Many churches would welcome supplies for their children's programs.
Buy items for other nonprofits. Family shelters and other similar organizations can always use donations of clothing or school supplies for those who need their services.
Thanks, BB, for such good ideas.
And remember, your donations could be tax deductible, too!
Related posts:
- Massachusetts tax holiday details
- Sales tax holidays 2010
- Memorial Day sales tax holidays
- Show Me sales tax savings
- State use taxes tend to be useless
- State Tax Departments
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Roth & Company, P.C.
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