Mariner Finance Blog

Sales Tax Holidays in 2019

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With back-to-school season just ahead, it’s a great time to start looking for ways to save on end-of-summer purchases with Sales Tax Holidays in 2019.

What is a Sales Tax Holiday?

A Sales Tax Holiday is a limited-time period where a state allows sales tax to be waived or reduced on the purchase of certain items.  Each state that participates in this event has its own list of qualified items.

Many states now offer Tax-Free Shopping Days or Tax-Free Weekends to help with back-to-school related expenses.  Sales Tax Holidays are a great way to save money on certain items even if you’re not a student or do not have children in school.

Where can I find Tax-Free Holidays?

Check out our list below to find out if your state has an upcoming Sales Tax Holiday and what qualifies.

When is Alabama’s Tax-Free Weekend?
July 19 – 21

Alabama’s Tax-Free Holiday gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, clothing, and computers free of state sales tax, as long as the item is under a certain dollar amount. Clothing must be under $100 per item, computers must be under $750 per item, and school supplies must be under $50 per item. Check out Alabama’s Department of Revenue for an in-depth explanation of what items are exempt during this tax holiday.

When is Florida’s Sales Tax Holiday? 
August 2-6

Florida’s Tax-Free Holiday offers a three-day sales tax holiday this year, making certain items exempt from state and local sales taxes. Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories must sell for $60 or less per item and school supplies must sell for $15 or less per item to qualify. Florida’s Department of Revenue offers a list of items that qualify for the tax exemption for your convenience.

When is Maryland Tax-Free Week? 
August 11-17

For one week you can purchase certain items tax-free in the state of Maryland. Apparel and footwear under $100 per item qualify for this offer. For a complete list of what is included in the Maryland Tax-Free Week, check out Comptroller of Maryland’s webpage. Not looking for clothing or footwear? In February, Maryland offers Shop Maryland Energy Tax-Free days by providing savings on Energy Star Products. This Tax-Free holiday will be next held on February 15-17 in 2020.

When is Mississippi’s Tax-Free Weekend?
July 26-27

During the two-day Tax-Free Holiday in July, clothing and footwear under $100 qualify for this offer. You can find a complete guide on the Department of Revenue’s website.

When is Missouri’s Sales Tax Holiday?
August 2-4

Certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items are exempt from sales tax starting on the first Friday in August.

When is Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday?  
August 2-4

Ohio is participating in a Tax-Free Holiday for its fifth year in a row. Apparel and footwear are exempt from state taxes if it is purchased for $75 or less per item. School supplies and instructional materials are exempt if they are purchased for $20 or less per item. Learn more about this Sales Tax Holiday on the Ohio Department of Taxation’s website and make sure you check out the Frequently Asked Questions page, as well.

When is Tax-Free Weekend in South Carolina?
August 2-4

During the annual Sales Tax Holiday, many back-to-school items are exempt from state and local taxes. Tax-free items include clothing, accessories, shoes, school supplies, backpacks, and computers. One eligibility category is unique to South Carolina. The state includes certain home and dorm room essentials! Learn more by visiting the state’s website.

When is Tennessee’s Sales Tax Holiday?  
July 26-28

Tennessee is offering sales tax savings on clothing and footwear items that are $100 per item. School supplies under $100 and computers for personal use priced under $1,500 are also tax-free. For complete details, visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue website for more information about this Sales Tax Holiday.

When is Tax-Free weekend in Texas? 
August 9-11

Texas is a longtime participant of Sales Tax Holidays. The state offers tax-free shopping on most clothing items, backpacks, and school supplies priced under $100, which could save shoppers up to $8 per $100 spent! The Texas Comptroller outlines details for each category on their website if you’re looking for more information.

When is Virginia’s weekend?
August 2-4

Virginia combines savings on both back-to-school and Energy Star Products in a three-day Tax-Free Weekend. Like most states, you can purchase clothing for under $100 per item and schools supplies for under $20 per item tax-free. You can also purchase Energy Star products, for personal use up to $2,500 or less, as well as select hurricane and emergency preparedness items tax-free during this time period. Check out the Virginia Department of Taxation website for details and information on how you can save during the Sales Tax Holiday this year.

If you could use help with fall expenses or simply do not want to miss the Sales Tax Holidays, we might be able to help!  At Mariner Finance, our skilled lending professionals work with you to find loan and payment options that fit your budget and needs. Call or stop by your local branch today to see how we can help, or apply online!

The information provided in this article does not constitute financial advice and is provided for educational purposes only without any express or implied warranty of any kind. This article is not intended as legal, tax, investment, or any other advice, and Mariner Finance does not offer credit repair services. Consider talking with an appropriate qualified professional for specific advice. Blog posts are for informational purposes only.