State sales tax holidays have long been a popular way for states to encourage commerce. State legislators know people are going to spend more money when there are sales and deals to be had, and since back to school is a traditional time that stores run sales, many states offer a tax holiday during the back to school season. Some of these tax free holidays last a weekend or longer.
Items eligible for tax free purchase typically include items students will need for going back to school, including clothing, computers, school supplies (pen, paper, pencils, etc.), and more*. Many states shelve state taxes, but some also include legislation that exempts local taxes during the tax holiday. That can equal a savings of 5-10%, depending on location, items, purchased, etc.
* Limits on some tax exemptions. Many states place a price limit for tax free status for items such as clothing and computers (for example, clothing under $100 is tax free). The idea is to help people who need to save money instead of subsidizing luxury items.
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2009 State Sales Tax Holidays
The following is a list of state sales tax holidays and the amount of sales tax exempted. For more information regarding the items exempt from taxes or other details, visit the list at Kipliner.com or the state’s website
Alabama
- When: August 7-9
- How much: 4%
Connecticut
- When: August 16-22
- How much: 6%
District of Columbia
- When: August 1-9 and November 27 through December 6
- How much: 5.75%
Georgia
- When: July 30 through August 2
- How much: 4%
Iowa
- When: August 7-8
- How much: 6%
Louisiana
- When: August 8-9
- How much: 4%
Mississippi
- When: July 31 through August 1
- How much: 7%
Missouri
- When: August 7-9
- How much: 4.225%
New Mexico
- When: August 7-9
- How much: 5% to 8.5625%
North Carolina
- When: August 7-9
- How much: 7%
Oklahoma
- * When: August 7-9
- How much: 4.5%
South Carolina
- When: August 7-9
- How much: 6%
Tennessee
- When: August 7-9
- How much: 8.5% to 9.75%
Texas
- When: August 21-23
- How much: 6.25% to 8.25%
Vermont
- When: August 22
- How much: 6%
Virginia
- When: August 7-9
- How much: 5%
West Virginia
- When: September 1 through November 30
- How much: 6%
In addition to state sales tax exemptions for back to school items, some states are offering tax free exemptions on Energy-Star appliances.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great research…this must have taken some time to complete…thanks so much.
Also, consumers should look at states that do not charge sales tax for purchases if they live close to the state.
I did not see California on the list. Oh, that’s right, they are trying to figure out ways to make us pay taxes for sleeping.