Shop tax-free in 10 states this weekend
Save big bucks on back-to-school items.
For shoppers in 10 states, this is the weekend to shop for the kids.
Millions of American families with children who are school- or collegebound will have the chance to save a few dollars as Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin hold sales tax holidays.
They’re following on the heels of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama, which offered a tax break in July.
Three more states – Texas, Maryland and Connecticut – will have holidays later in August.
Massachusetts also is expected to give residents a tax break Aug. 11-12 after lawmakers approved the two-day tax holiday Wednesday. Gov. Charlie Baker still needs to sign off on it and had yet to do so as of late Thursday afternoon.
Residents in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon don’t need a sales tax holiday to help get ready for the school year since those states don’t have a state sales tax rate, according to data from the Sales Tax Institute.
In states holding a sales tax holiday this weekend, not every town and county will participate, nor will every item be tax-free. Here’s USA TODAY’s guide for shoppers trying to grab the best deals.
TAX HOLIDAYS Arkansas
Saturday and Sunday
State tax rate: 6.5 percent
What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing and footwear, less than
$100
❚ Select school supplies, school art supplies and instructional materials, no limit
❚ Clothing accessory or equipment, less than $50
Exclusions: Sewing equipment and accessories, belt buckles, protective equipment and sports equipment
Florida
Friday through Sunday
State tax rate: 6 percent
What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing, footwear and select accessories, up to $60
❚ School supplies, up to $15 Exclusions: Technology is not included this year. Also, school supplies and clothing sold in theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishments or airports.
Iowa
Friday and Saturday State tax rate: 6 percent What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing and footwear, up to $100 Exclusions: Clothing accessories, sports equipment and protective equipment.
Missouri
Friday through Sunday
State tax rate: 4.225 percent What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing, up to $100
❚ School supplies, not to exceed $50 per purchase
❚ Computer software, up to $350
❚ Personal computers, up to $1,500
❚ Graphing calculators, up to $150 Exclusions: According to the state, not all cities, counties, and districts will participate. Friday through Sunday
State tax rate: 5.125 percent What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing and footwear, less than
$100
❚ Computers, up to $1,000
❚ Computer-related items, up to
$500
❚ School supplies, less than $30 Exclusions: Sporting equipment, protective equipment and clothing accessories will be taxed.
Ohio
Friday through Sunday
State tax rate: 5.75 percent What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing, up to $75
❚ School supplies and instructional materials, up to $20
Exclusions: Items purchased for use in a trade or business, clothing accessories, sports equipment and protective equipment.
Oklahoma
Friday through Sunday State tax rate: 4.5 percent What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing and footwear, less than
$100
Exclusions: Accessories, special athletic or protective clothing, rentals.
South Carolina Virginia Wisconsin
Friday through Sunday
State tax rate: 6 percent
What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing, no limit
❚ School supplies, no limit
❚ Computers, no limit
❚ Blankets, bed spreads, bed linens, towels, etc., no limit
Exclusions: Jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, furniture and layaway purchases. Friday through Sunday
State tax rate: 4.3 percent
What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing and footwear, up to $100
❚ School supplies, up to $20
❚ Portable generators, up to $1,000
❚ Gas chainsaws, up to $350
❚ Chainsaw accessories, up to $60
❚ Other specified hurricane preparedness items, up to $60
❚ Energy Star and WaterSense products, $2,500 or less per item
Exclusions: Clothing accessories, sports equipment and protective or recreational equipment. Wednesday through Sunday
State tax rate: 5 percent
What’s tax-free:
❚ Clothing, up to $75
❚ Personal computer, up to $750
❚ School computer supplies, up to
$250
❚ School supplies, up to $75 Exclusions: Clothing accessories or equipment, protective equipment, school art supplies, school instructional materials and sport or recreational equipment.