As August begins, tax-free weekend is suddenly upon us. Beginning Saturday in several states across the country, stores are taking a holiday from charging sales tax on a slew of eligible items.
Just as parents and kids are beginning their annual back-to-school shopping pilgrimages, 17 states have agreed to take part in the annual sales tax holiday tradition in which retailers sell tax-exempt merchandise. While most states are hosting the holiday this weekend, several will celebrate it later on in the month.
Marketplace.org reports that Alabama's sales tax holiday has drawn huge crowds of shoppers since it was first launched in 2006.
"They are buying items that are taxed along with items that are not taxed, and so they're buying gas, they're eating in restaurants," said Nancy Dennis, public relations director of the Alabama Retail Association, which looks forward to the holiday each year.
However, not all states are as enthused about giving up those tax dollars. In North Carolina, for example, this year will be the final year to celebrate the tax-free weekend due to tax reform recently passed in the state.
"Last year it was between $13 million and $14 million in sales tax that they gave up," said Christine Burr, communications director of the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.
So the big question on consumer's minds must undoubtedly be "is my state taking part in the tax holiday?!"
To answer this question, check out a list below (compliments of the Federation of Tax Administrators) of all participating states, along with eligible items included in the tax-free deal, dates, and links to official websites with additional information for each individual state. These official sites also include dates and times for the tax-free holidays, itemized lists of specific eligible merchandise, maximum costs, consumer FAQs and more.
Happy shopping!
Alabama: Aug. 2 - 4; clothing, computers, school supplies, books
Link: https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/
Arkansas: Aug. 3 - 4; clothing, school supplies
Link: https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/
Connecticut: Aug. 18 - 24; clothing, footwear
Link: https://www.ct.gov/
Florida: Aug. 2 - 4; school supplies, clothing, computers
Link: https://dor.myflorida.com/dor/
Georgia: Aug. 9 - 10; school supplies, clothing, computers
Link: https://etax.dor.ga.gov/
Link: https://www.iowaccess.org/tax/
Louisiana: Aug. 2 - 3; all TPP (Tangible Personal Property)
Link: https://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/
Maryland: Aug. 11 - 17; clothing and footwear
Link: https://www.marylandtaxes.com/
Massachusetts: Aug. 10 - 11; all TPP
Link: https://www.mass.gov/dor/
Missouri: Aug. 2 - 4; clothing, computers, school supplies
Link: https://dor.mo.gov/
New Mexico: Aug. 2 - 4; clothing, computers, computer equipment, school supplies
Link: https://www.tax.newmexico.gov
North Carolina: Aug. 2 - 4; clothing, school supplies, instructional material, computers, other computer products, sports equipment
Link: https://www.dornc.com/
South Carolina: Aug. 2 - 4; clothing, school supplies, computers, other
Link: https://www.sctax.org/
Tennessee: Aug. 2 - 4; clothing, school supplies, computers
Link: https://tn.gov/revenue/
Texas: Aug. 9 - 11; clothing, backpacks, school supplies
Link: https://www.window.state.tx.us/
Virginia: Aug. 2 - 4; clothing, school supplies
Link: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/
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