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Flag Day focus on tax-exempt Stars and Stripes

June 14, 2019
Among the flags celebrated on Fun With Flags, the online show within a show in CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, was Old Glory. (Photo of Amy Farrah Fowler play by Mayim Bialik and Jim Parsons, who played Sheldon Cooper and Betsy Ross, courtesy Sheldon Cooper presents Fun With Flags Facebook page).

…
Happy Flag Day!

Long-time readers of the ol’ blog already know that June 14 is an extra special day for me.

It was my younger brother’s birthday. One of my fondest memories of him was when as a preschooler he thought all the U.S. flags were flying in his honor. We let him believe that until he was old enough to figure out the real reason.

I’m spending today with my mother. In addition to our usual errands, we’ll spend time fondly remembering the son and brother we lost way too early.

So that I could get on the road to my Mom’s early, I’ve shifted the usual Saturday Shout Out feature to Friday. But to keep some semblance of alliteration, today is conveniently and fittingly dubbed Flag Friday Focus.

And the focus is on Gail Cole’s piece for Avalara from last Flag Day. In it, she takes a look at the various issues involved in how states do or don’t collect sales taxes on Old Glory purchases.

Tax-exempt flag sales: Just as individuals in this country have the freedom to purchase and display U.S. flags, or not, states have the freedom to tax them, or not, notes Cole.

Quite a few have chosen to not assess the sales taxes.

Specifically, writes Cole, sales of the following flags are always exempt in:

  • Connecticut: U.S. and Connecticut flags
  • Florida: U.S. flag and official state flag of Florida
  • Maryland: American, Maryland and POW/MIA flags
  • Massachusetts: U.S. flag
  • New Jersey: American and New Jersey state flags
  • New York: American, New York state, POW and military flags
  • Pennsylvania: U.S. flag and the Commonwealth flag
  • Rhode Island: U.S., Rhode Island and POW/MIA flags
  • West Virginia: Regulation-size U.S. flag and regulation-size West Virginia flag (for display)
  • Wisconsin: U.S. flag and the Wisconsin state flag

Check out Cole’s story for some special considerations that affect collection of tax on flag sales, like whether the banner is sold solo or part of a display kit.

Also, the Avalara piece points out those states that exempt certain flags under specific conditions.

Regardless of whether you paid tax on your Stars and Stripes or bought the banner tax-free, fly it high and proud today.

I’m sure my brother is still enjoying the displays.

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The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

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TAX-SAVVY WAYS 
TO WRAP UP 2026

It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill. 

You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.

Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings. 

Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year. 

So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Credits/Deductions
Disasters
Family
Filing and Paying Taxes
Politics/Laws
Refunds
State Taxes
Tax Brackets/Inflation
Tax Tips
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