School bells will be ringing across the nation for students in less than a month. Most students dread the beginning of the school season; however, they do look forward to purchasing school supplies. Most parents dread this back-to-school ritual. Gone are the days when students just needed crayons, notebooks, and pencils. Now laptops, high-tech calculators, and a “cool” wardrobe are considered necessities for the school year.
Some states offer “tax break holidays” in order to assist financially stressed parents with purchasing necessary school items. Most states specify what can be purchased: computers, clothing, school supplies, and Energy Star electronics or appliances.
The sales tax holiday can be considered a six to eight percent discount. It may not seem like much, but when you are purchasing school supplies for multiple children or big ticket items the savings add up.
The following states have announced their sales tax holidays (those from Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon can skip this list since you have no sales tax):
Alabama – August 7-9 clothing, computers, school supplies and books
Connecticut – August 16-22; clothing and footwear
District of Columbia – August 1-9; clothing and school supplies
Georgia - July 30 - August 2; school supplies, clothing and computers and October 1 – 4; Energy Star products
Iowa – August 7-8; clothing
Louisiana – August 7-8; tangible personal property
Mississippi - July 31 - August 1; clothing and footwear
Missouri – August 7-9; clothing, computers, and school supplies
New Mexico – August 7-9; clothing, computers, and school supplies
North Carolina – August 7-9; clothing, school supplies, instructional materials, computers, other computer equipment, and sports equipment and November 6 – 8; Energy Star products
Oklahoma – August 7-9, clothing
South Carolina – August 7-9; clothing, school supplies, computers, and other educational supplies
Tennessee – August 7-9; clothing, school supplies, and computers
Texas – August 21-23; clothing and backpacks
Virginia – August 7-9; clothing and school supplies and October 9-12; Energy Star products
West Virginia – September 1 – November 30; Energy Star products
If you do not see your state listed, check their Department of Revenue’s web site. Some states are still deciding if they will have a sales tax holiday, when it will be, and what items qualify.
Be aware that there may be a minimum purchase requirement in order to qualify for the sales tax holiday. Most of these minimums are easy to achieve. Before purchasing schools supplies make a plan.
- Inventory school supplies left over from last year. Do your children need five brand new notebooks when two out of the five purchased last year were barely used?
- Obtain a copy of your child’s school supply list and divide it into wants and needs.
- Make a list of school supply needs, take the list, and stick to it.
For those who may not need to purchase school supplies but are interested in taking advantage of the sales tax break on Energy Star products, visit the Energy Star web site (http://www.energystar.gov/). There you will find information to help you make an informed decision before purchasing big-ticket items such as refrigerators, water heaters, or computers. You can also search for rebates on Energy Star products. As with school supply shopping, make a plan and stick to it.
By taking advantage of the tax break holidays and making a plan before purchasing, the beginning of the school year will be more enjoyable for parents and their pocketbooks.
