Everything You Need to Know About the Tax Free Weekend August 7-9
Parents, it’s the weekend some of us dread and others are hoping to save some serious money on.
The annual sales tax holiday is August 7-9, just in time to get those clothes for the kids heading back to school.
I know there are a lot of exceptions and restrictions on this so here is a breakdown of what is and isn’t covered.
- Jupiterimages
Jupiterimages Clothing and Footwear
Most footwear and clothing that sells for less than $100 is covered no matter how many of that item you buy. If you buy any one thing that costs more than $100, then you have to pay the tax on it.
Specialty clothing like golf cleats and football pads don’t apply, but tennis shoes do along with jogging suits and swimsuits
Renting clothes, alterations including embroidery and cleaning services are not tax free. Also, it’s important to know that jewelry, handbags, purses, briefcases, luggage, umbrellas, wallets and even watches are not covered so you’ll have to pay the tax on those.
- ThinkStock
ThinkStock Backpacks
Backpacks under $100 sold for elementary and secondary students are tax free. If you’re wondering if what your kid wants is a backpack or considered luggage here is what you need to know.
Backpacks are defined as packs with straps one wears on the back, including those with wheels provided that they you can wear it like a traditional backpack and messenger bags.
But, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses and framed backpacks (like when you go hiking) are not covered. You can buy up to 10 backpacks tax free at one time without needing an exemption certificate.
- Sean Locke
Sean Locke School Supplies
Most school supplies sold for less than $100 are tax free, but if you’re buying school supplies under a business account (company credit card or business check), you must have an exemption certificate.
- LUNAMARINA
LUNAMARINA Examples of Taxable vs. Exempt Items
[(T) = Taxable; (E) = Exempt ]
A
- Accessories (generally) (T)
- Barrettes (T)
- Belt buckles (sold separately) (T)
- Bobby pins (T)
- Briefcases (T)
- Elastic ponytail holders (T)
- Hair bows (T)
- Hair clips (T)
- Handbags (T)
- Handkerchiefs (T)
- Headbands (T)
- Jewelry (T)
- Key cases (T)
- Purses (T)
- Wallets (T)
- Watch bands (T)
- Watches (T)
- Adult diapers (E)
- Alterations (T)
- Aprons (household) (E)
- Aprons (welders) (T)
- Athletic socks (E)
B
- Baby bibs (E)
- Baby clothes (E)
- Baby diapers (cloth or disposable) (E)
- Backpacks (unless for use by elementary/secondary students) (T)
- Baseball accessories
- Baseball caps (E)
- Baseball cleats (T)
- Baseball gloves (T)
- Baseball jerseys (E)
- Baseball pants (T)
- Bathing caps (T)
- Belt buckles (T)
- Belts with attached buckles (E)
- Belts for weight lifting (T)
- Bicycle shoes (cleated) (T)
- Blouses (E)
- Boots (general purpose) (E)
- Climbing (cleated or spiked) (T)
- Cowboy (E)
- Fishing (waders) (T)
- Hiking (E)
- Overshoes and galoshes (T)
- Rubber work boots (T)
- Ski (T)
- Waders (T)
- Bow ties (E)
- Bowling shirts (E)
- Bowling shoes (rented and sold) (T)
- Bras (E)
- Buttons and zippers (T)
C
- Camp clothes (E)
- Caps (baseball, fishing, golf) (E)
- Chef uniforms (E)
- Children’s novelty costumes (E)
- Chest protectors (T)
- Clerical vestments (E)
- Cloth and lace, knitting yarns, and other fabrics (T)
- Clothing repair items, such as thread, buttons, tapes, and iron-on patches (T)
- Coats and wraps (E)
- Corsages and boutonnieres (T)
- Coveralls (E)
D
- Diapers (cloth and disposable) (E)
- Dresses (E)
- Dry cleaning services (T)
E
- Elbow pads (T)
- Embroider (T)
- Employee uniforms (unless rented) (E)
F
- Fabrics, thread, buttons, lace, patterns, knitting yarns (T)
- Fins (swim) (T)
- Fishing boots (waders) (T)
- Fishing caps (E)
- Fishing vests (non-flotation) (E)
- Football accessories
- Football jerseys (E)
- Football pads (T)
- Football pants (T)
G
- Gloves (generally) (E)
- Baseball (T)
- Batting (T)
- Bicycle (T)
- Dress (unless rented) (E)
- Garden (T)
- Golf (T)
- Hockey (T)
- Leather (E)
- Rubber (T)
- Surgical (T)
- Tennis (T)
- Work (T)
- Goggles (T)
- Golf accessories
- Golf caps (E)
- Golf dresses (E)
- Golf gloves (T)
- Golf jackets and windbreakers (E)
- Golf shirts (E)
- Golf skirts (E)
- Golf purses (T)
- Golf shoes (T)
- Graduation caps and gowns (E)
- Gym suits and uniforms (E)
H
- Hair nets, bows, clips, and barrettes (T)
- Handbags and purses (T)
- Handkerchiefs (T)
- Hard hats (T)
- Hats (E)
- Headbands (T)
- Helmets (bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle, sports) (T)
- Hockey gloves (T)
- Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts (E)
- Hosiery, including support hosiery (E)
- Hunting vests (E)
I-J
- Ice skates (T)
- Insoles (T)
- Jackets (E)
- Jeans (E)
- Jewelry (T)
- Jogging apparel (E)
K
- Knee pads (T)
- Knitted caps or hats (E)
L
- Laundering services (T)
- Leg warmers (E)
- Leotards and tights (E)
- Life jackets and vests (T)
- Luggage (T)
M
- Mask, costume (E)
- Mask, protective - welder, umpire, swim (T)
- Monogramming (T)
N
- Neckwear and ties (E)
- Nightgowns and nightshirts (E)
O-P
- Overshoes and rubber shoes (T)
- Pads (football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee, shoulder) (T)
- Paint or dust respirators and incidental supplies (T)
- Painter pants (E)
- Pajamas (E)
- Pants (E)
- Panty hose (E)
- Patterns (T)
- Personal flotation devices (T)
- Pocket squares (T)
- Protective gloves (T)
- Protective masks (T)
R
- Raincoats and ponchos (E)
- Rain hats (E)
- Religious clothing (E)
- Rented clothing (including uniforms, formal wear, and costumes) (T)
- Repair of clothing or footwear (T)
- Ribbons (T)
- Robes (E)
- Roller blades (T)
- Roller skates (T)
S
- Safety accessories
- Safety clothing (normally worn in hazardous occupations) (T)
- Safety glasses (except prescription) (T)
- Safety shoes (adaptable for street wear) (E)
- Safety shoes (not adaptable for street wear) (T)
- Scarves (E)
- Scout uniforms (E)
- Sewing patterns (T)
- Shawls and wraps (E)
- Shin guards and padding (T)
- Shirts (E)
- Shirts (hooded) (E)
- Shoe inserts (T)
- Shoelaces (T)
- Shoes (generally) (E)
- Ballet (T)
- Baseball cleats (T)
- Bicycle (cleated) (T)
- Boat (E)
- Bowling (T)
- Cleated or spiked (T)
- Cross trainers (E)
- Dress (E)
- Fishing boots (waders) (T)
- Flip-flops (rubber thongs) (E)
- Football (T)
- Golf (T)
- Jazz and dance (T)
- Jellies (E)
- Overshoes (T)
- Running (without cleats) (E)
- Safety (suitable for everyday use) (E)
- Sandals (E)
- Slippers (E)
- Sneakers and tennis (E)
- Soccer (cleated) (T)
- Spiked or cleated (T)
- Tap dance (T)
- Tennis (E)
- Track and cleats (T)
- Wading/water sport (T)
- Walking (E)
- Shoe shines (T)
- Shoe repairs (T)
- Shoulder pads (for dresses, jackets, etc.) (T)
- Shoulder pads (football, hockey, sports) (T)
- Shorts (E)
- Shower caps (T)
- Skates (ice and roller) (T)
- Ski boots (snow) (T)
- Ski suits (snow) (T)
- Ski vests (water) (T)
- Skirts (E)
- Sleepwear, nightgowns, pajamas (E)
- Slippers (E)
- Slips (E)
- Soccer socks (E)
- Socks (E)
- Sports helmets (T)
- Sports pads (football, hockey, soccer, knee, elbow, shoulder) (T)
- Suits, slacks, and jackets (E)
- Sunglasses (except prescription) (T)
- Support hosiery (E)
- Suspenders (E)
- Sweatbands (arm, wrist, head) (T)
- Sweatshirts (E)
- Sweat suits (E)
- Sweaters (E)
- Swimming masks and goggles (T)
- Swimsuits (E)
T
- Tennis accessories
- Tennis dresses (E)
- Tennis shorts (E)
- Tennis shoes (E)
- Tennis skirts (E)
- Ties (neckties - all) (E)
- Tights (E)
- Track shoes and cleats (T)
- Trousers (E)
U
- Umbrellas (T)
- Underclothes (E)
- Underpants (E)
- Undershirts (E)
- Uniforms (school, work, nurse, waitress, military, postal, police, fire) (E)
V-W
- Veils (E)
- Vests (generally) (E)
- Bulletproof (T)
- Fishing (non-flotation) (E)
- Flotation (T)
- Hunting (E)
- Scuba (T)
- Water-ski (T)
- Wallets (T)
- Watch bands (T)
- Watches (T)
- Water ski vests (T)
- Weight lifting belts (T)
- Wet and dry suits (T)
- Work clothes (E)
- Work uniforms (E)
- Workout clothes (E)
- Wrist bands (T)
This list does not include all items that may qualify for exemption during the sales tax holiday. It providesexamples only.
- Accessories (generally) (T)
More From B93
