Numerous states offer sales tax holidays during July-August. These are typically branded for the purchase of school supplies, yet often include a broad array of items which can be useful for anyone (e.g. computers, clothing, etc.). This is a nice savings for those states. Some are expired, and there are still some alive now. Below are the details, please double check them before going out and making a purchase:
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Florida: August 1–31, max $1,500 per item, school supplies of $50 or less, clothing/footwear of $100 or less, computers & accessories of $1,500 or less, learning aids/puzzles of $30 or less
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Ohio: August 1–14, max $500 per item, most tangible personal property under $500 (electronics, clothing, books, home goods, etc.)
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Massachusetts: August 9–10, max $2,500 per item, nearly all personal retail items (with standard exclusions)
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Maryland: August 10–16, max $100 per item, clothing & footwear, backpacks (first $40)
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Texas: August 8–10, max $100 per item, clothing, footwear, school supplies, backpacks
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Connecticut: August 17–23, max $100 per item, clothing and footwear
I am in Florida. Looking at a $700 laptop on Dell but it adds sales tax when I proceed to checkout. What can be done if retailers do not honor the exemption?
Here is a comprehensive list: https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/sales-tax-holidays-tax-free-weekend/
There is a bipartisan consensus that this is a dumb idea, but politicians keep doing it.
Bipartisan does not exist. Personally I think it’s a great idea for families supplying their kids for school. Here in TN tax rate is 9.75%….most people on this would jump at 10% savings on a gift card. I see no harm.
Note to NJ residents: starting this year there is no sales tax holiday in NJ, they repealed it earlier this year: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/businesses/salestax/salestaxholiday.shtml
Thanks! I forgot this year
For Ohio:
Almost all tangible personal property priced at $500 or less is tax-free
The following items WILL still be taxed: Watercraft or outboard motors, motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vapor products, and items containing marijuana
Food and Beverages: Dine-in food, dietary supplements, and soft drinks WILL NOT be taxed
If items that meet the exemption are sold with items that do not meet the exemption, for one non-itemized price, then the entire price is subject to sales tax. If the price of the exempt and taxable items is separately stated, then the sales tax exemption can be applied to the exempt items.
Qualified items sold to consumers by mail, telephone, e-mail, or Internet shall qualify for the sales tax exemption if the consumer orders and pays for the item and the retailer accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.
If all items in a shipment qualify as eligible items and the sales price for each is within the sales tax holiday price threshold, the shipping and handling charges are not taxable.
FWIW – The now concluded Virginia sales tax holiday (August 1-3) includes (i) hurricane and emergency preparedness products incl. generators and chainsaws, and (ii) Energy Star or WaterSense appliances ($2,500 or less per item).
Florida school holiday details- https://floridarevenue.com/backtoschool/Pages/default.aspx
Additionally, there will be a hunting/fishing/camping tax holiday that starts in September through the rest of the year- https://floridarevenue.com/HuntFishCamp/Pages/default.aspx
Lastly, the state has made permanent the annual tax exemption holiday for hurricane supplies – https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/tips/Documents/TIP_25A01-05.pdf