Back to school shopping during weekends this month will allow you to avoid paying sales tax on certain items. According to CNN, starting this week, 15 states are offering tax breaks that can save shoppers between 4% and 7%. Mississippi had a tax holiday in July. Reportedly, the tax breaks tend to apply to clothing, computers, software and school supplies.
"Tax-free weekend is one of the best times of the year to buy clothing, shoes and school supplies, and I always try to take advantage of the discount. Many stores are already running great back-to-school sales and offering high-value coupons, so when you combine the sales, coupons and tax-free savings, that can really help you make the most of your back-to-school budget," Rachel Holland, the founder of SurvivingtheStores.com and HowtoHomeschoolforFree.com says.
According to US News, the following states have confirmed that they will offer a sales tax holiday this year: Alabama (for clothing, computers, school supplies and books), Arkansas (for clothing and school supplies), Connecticut (for clothing and footwear), Florida (for school supplies, clothing and computers), Georgia (for school supplies, clothing and computers), Iowa (for clothing), Louisiana (for all tangible personal property), Maryland (for clothing and footwear), Mississippi (for clothing, computers and school supplies), New Mexico (for clothing, computers, computer equipment and school supplies), Oklahoma (for clothing), South Carolina (for clothing, school supplies and computers), Tennessee (for clothing, school supplies and computers), Texas (for clothing, backpacks and school supplies) and Virginia (for clothing and school supplies).
CNN noted that Missouri shoppers can spend as much as $3,500 on a computer tax-free. Louisiana has a lump-sum break on $2,500 in spending, and South Carolina's list of non-tax items includes bed linens, shower curtains and other dorm room goods.
Reportedly, consumers can usually shop online and still get the sales tax break, however they may have to pay up for shipping to ensure that the items will be delivered before the school break ends.
