Tax free school supplies offer school shopping savings for children and adults, and you can even buy tax free computers and computer accessories in some states.
Whether you’re going off to college and trying to save money, shopping for discount school supplies for your kids, or just stocking up on some discounted work supplies, it’s a great way to save some extra money once a year during the tax free holiday.
Several states extend the tax free holiday to general purchases, so it’s a great opportunity to get a large discount on more expensive purchases that you may have been considering lately.
It’s a good idea to inquire with the merchants where you will be making the purchases, as some stores may not qualify for the tax free savings, but in general, larger merchants and national chains are participating.
2018 Tax Free School Holiday States
The following states offer tax free school supplies and tax breaks.
Alabama
July 20–22, 2018
Alabama will hold its annual sales tax holiday giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales or use tax.
Arkansas
August 4-5, 2018
The State of Arkansas will hold its sales tax holiday allowing shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain School Supplies, School Art Supplies, School Instructional Materials, and clothing free of state and local sales or use tax.
Connecticut
August 19-25, 2018
The exclusion applies each year from the third Sunday in August through the following Saturday.
Connecticut shoppers will have one week to buy items of clothing and footwear costing under $300 without paying Connecticut sales tax.
Florida
August 3-5, 2018
Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday means that no sales tax will be collected on sales of clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $100 or less, on certain school supplies selling for $15 or less, or on computers and certain related accessories selling for $750 or less per item when purchase for noncommercial home or personal use.
Iowa
August 3-4, 2016
Iowa’s Annual Sales Tax Holiday offers tax breaks on purchases of select clothing and footwear.
Maryland
August 12-18, 2018
The second Sunday of August to the following Saturday is designated as Shop Maryland Week each year.
The second Sunday of August to the following Saturday are designated as Shop Maryland Week each year. That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less are exempt from the Maryland 6% sales tax. Accessory items are not included.
Mississippi
July 27-July 28, 2018
Mississippi’s Sales Tax Holiday is a popular “back to school” event that is worth 7 percent in savings to consumers as a result of waiving the sales tax on specific items.
The items exempt from sales tax during the Sales Tax Holiday period are identical to those items exempted the prior two years. Clothing and footwear items, meant to be worn next to the body and costing less than $100 per item, are exempt from sales tax during this period.
Missouri
August 3-5, 2018
Missouri’s sales tax holiday provides a tax break on certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items as defined by the statute.
New Mexico
August 3-5, 2018
During the New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax Holiday, the state suspends collection of gross receipts tax on sales of qualifying items, so you can buy the items tax free. Because many merchants also absorb the tax on a number of non-qualifying items, you are the beneficiary all around.
During the tax holiday, the law provides a deduction from gross receipts for retail sales of qualifying tangible personal property; in effect allowing the retailer to sell the items “tax free.”
Ohio
August 3-5, 2018
During the holiday, the following items are exempt from sales and use tax: Clothing priced at $75 per item or less; School supplies priced at $20 per item or less; and
School instructional material priced at $20 per item or less.
Oklahoma
August 3-5, 2018
Oklahoma will hold its annual sales tax holiday giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain clothing and shoes free of sales tax. This includes state, city, county and local municipality sales taxes.
Retailers are required to participate and may not charge tax on items that are legally tax-exempt during the sales tax holiday. The sales tax holiday exempts the sale of clothing and shoes priced at less than $100 from sales taxes.
South Carolina
August 3-5, 2018
Beginning 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and ending at twelve midnight the following Sunday of each year.
Clothing, clothing accessories, footwear, school supplies, computers, printers, printer supplies, computer software and linens for the bed and bath are exempt from state and local sales tax.
Certain items, including, but not limited to, jewelry, cosmetics, furniture and items for use in a business are not exempt during the holiday.
Tennessee
July 27-July 29, 2018
The state of Tennessee’s annual sales tax holiday is held every year, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the last Friday in July and ending at 11:59 p.m. the following Sunday night.
During this weekend, certain goods may be purchased tax free.
Texas
August 10-12, 2018
Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on the state’s annual tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.
As in previous years, the law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. A backpack is a pack with straps one wears on the back. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags. The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.
Virginia
August 3-5, 2018
During this three-day period, purchases of certain school supplies, clothing and footwear will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax. Each eligible school supply item must be priced at $20 or less, and each eligible article of clothing and footwear must be priced at $100 or less.
Wisconsin
August 1-5, 2018
Sales of certain items are exempt during a five-day period in August 2018.
Those are all of the states that are offering tax free holidays in 2018, so take advantage of these tax free school supplies while they last.
Tax free school supplies are especially advantageous if you are planning on purchasing a computer or a large purchase in one of the states that offer general tax free purchases.
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