MILLIONS of Americans will see lower prices at the checkout for the next two weeks.
Shoppers across the country are urged to make the most of massive savings.
Millions of Americans will see lower prices at the checkout for the next two weeks[/caption]
In the state of Ohio, millions are seeing sales tax waived from the price of goods and services.
It comes as 17 states in the country hold tax breaks at various points over July and August.
Those in Ohio will see a tax break from August 1 to August 14, the longest one held so far in the US.
There are plenty of opportunities to save on most products under $500, as well as drive-in meals.
There are some exceptions to the tax break, like alcohol, tobacco and marijuana products.
In Franklin County, customers save up to 8% in local and state sales taxes over that period.
The sales holiday does technically cover food bought from a grocery store.
But citizens are reminded of a state rule that could affect how they spend the tax holiday.
Annie Masters with Weiland’s Market in Columbus reminded Ohioans that a majority of its products are already tax-free.
She said: “Anything edible is not taxed.
“Anything household, greeting cards, flowers, dog food, any sorts of things like that, they are taxed.
“If you want to stock up on your pet food, now would be the time to do it without being taxed for it.”
CHEAPER FOOD
Restaurant food is often subjected to sales tax, which is a reason why some choose to order take-out instead, as this isn’t taxed.
Those in Ohio will be able to save money when dining at restaurants during the two-week tax break.
States removing sales tax
Alabama
July 18-20
What’s tax-free:
Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item
Computers: $750 or less per item
School supplies: $50 or less per item
Books: $30 or less per item
Arkansas
Aug. 2-3
What’s tax-free:
Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item, clothing accessories: $50 or less per item
School supplies
Electronic devices used for school
Connecticut
Aug. 17-23 (Always the third Sunday in August to the following Saturday)
What’s tax-free:
Clothing and footwear less than $100
Florida
Florida expanded its back-to-school sales tax holiday to include the whole month of August.
Aug. 1-31
What’s tax-free:
School supplies: $50 or less per item
Clothing, footwear, accessories: $100 or less per item
Computers and related accessories: $1,500 or less
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles: $30 or less
Iowa
Aug. 1-2
What’s tax-free:
Clothing or footwear: $100 or less per item
Maryland
Aug. 10-16 (Always the second week of August)
What’s tax-free:
Clothing, footwear and accessories: $100 or less per item
Backpacks: the first $40 of a backpack/bookbag purchase is tax-free.
Massachusetts
Aug 9-10
Eligible retail items bought for personal use costing $2,500 or less (not limited to school supplies).
There are several exceptions when tax still applies, including: meals, motor vehicles and boats, gas and electricity, tobacco, marijuana or alcoholic beverages and any single item with a price more than $2,500.
Mississippi
July 11-13
What’s tax-free:
Clothing, and footwear: $100 or less per item
School supplies: $100 or less per item
Missouri
Aug. 1-3
What’s tax-free:
Clothing: $100 or less per item
School supplies: $50 or less per item
Computers: $1,500
Computer software: $350 or less
Computer peripheral devices: $1,500
Graphic calculators: $150 or less
New Mexico
July 25-27
What’s tax-free:
Clothing or shoes: $100 or less per item
Desktop, laptop, tablets or notebook computers: $1,000
Related computer hardware: $500 per item
School supplies: $30 per item
New York
New York does not have a sales tax holiday, but year-round in certain counties, including the county that covers New York City, have no sales tax for clothing and footwear worn by humans that is $110 or less.
Ohio
Aug. 1-14
What’s tax-free:
The tax-free period includes anything that is considered tangible personal property that is $500 or less.
This excludes watercrafts, anything with an outboard motor that must be titled, a motor vehicle, alcohol, tobacco, a vapor product or a product that contains marijuana.
Dine-in meals, which are usually taxed, are also tax-free if they are less than $500.
Oklahoma
Aug. 1-3
What’s tax-free:
Clothing or footwear: $100 or less per item.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not have a sales-tax holiday, but year-round it does not charge sales tax for clothing and certain footwear.
South Carolina
Aug. 1-3
What’s tax-free:
Clothing, shoes and accessories
School supplies
Computers, printers, earbuds and headphones
Certain bed and bath items
Diapers
Tennessee
July 25-27
What’s tax-free:
Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item
School supplies: $100 or less per item
Computers, including laptops and tablets: $1,500 or less per item
Texas
Aug. 8-10
What’s tax-free:
Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item
Backpacks: $100 or less per item
School supplies: $100 or less per item
Virginia
Aug. 1-3
What’s tax-free:
Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item
School supplies: $20 or less per item
West Virginia
Aug. 1-4
What’s tax-free:
Clothing: $125 or less per item
Laptop or tablet computers: $500 or less per item
School instruction material: $20 or less per item
School supplies: $50 or less per item
Sports equipment: $150 or less per item
Due to this, restaurants in the state are preparing for a busy couple of weeks this month.
Katalina’s Café founder Kathleen Day added: “Since most to-go food isn’t taxed, a lot of people like to eat to-go food, but Katalina’s is all about community and customers and our vibe.
“It’s extended, so that’s great for the customer.
“We’re going to promote it on social.
“I think everyone’s going to be really excited about that.
“Anything helps right now.
“This just gives them a little relief in a time of price sensitivity.”
In the state of Ohio, millions are seeing sales tax waived from the price of goods and services[/caption]
