2008.07.22
Tax-free shopping is coming
Already thinking about back-to-school shopping? You might want to hold off on your purchases for another week and a half.
A sales tax holiday is around the corner. From Aug. 1 to 3, Virginia and a host of other states will slash the sales tax on school supplies, apparel and other qualifying merchandise. This will be Virginia’s third sales tax holiday that coincides with the back-to-school season.
For this three-day period, school supplies priced at $20 or less and apparel and shoes at $100 or less will be free of the state’s 5 percent sales tax at all stores. But retailers can choose to absorb the sales tax on items that don’t make the cut.
For example, electronics retailer, Circuit City, made all merchandise in its stores tax-free last year. And remember, you don’t have to be shopping for school to get the discounts.
Visit the Virginia Department of Taxation’s Web site for a list of tax-free items.
So, I’m curious, have you saved any money during Virginia's last two back-to-school sales tax holidays?
The good news is you only have to spend $80 and you have saved enough to buy a gallon of gas!
Comment by patti — July 23, 2008 @ 11:47 pm
I think it's great the state provides the tax-free shopping, but with only the one-time weekend date this only benefits students of schools that provide supply lists prior to school openings-primarily elementary and middle, excluding all others. This is the second year now we will not benefit because the high schools do not provide their school lists until after school starts. I think the state schould allow a second date to fairly accomodate the parents of students who are not provided with school supply lists in advance.
Comment by DB — July 24, 2008 @ 10:53 am