Sales Tax Holidays: When and Where
As a consumer, paying taxes is inevitable. However, there are certain days when you can avoid sales taxes while shopping. These days are called Sales Tax Holidays. Through this article, we'll discuss all you need to know about Sales Tax Holidays, including the when and where.
What are Sales Tax Holidays?
Sales Tax Holidays are days when sales tax isn't applicable to certain items. Typically, these days occur before the school or hurricane season. They also usually last anywhere from 24 hours to a week. The number of states that offer such holidays has been increasing in recent years. As of 2021, 16 states in the USA offer sales tax holidays for their residents.
When are Sales Tax Holidays?
There isn't a definitive answer to this question as the timing of Sales Tax Holidays varies from state to state. However, most of them occur in July or August (before the school season) and in May, June, or September (before or after the hurricane season). In some states, sales tax holidays only occur once a year while in others, they happen multiple times throughout the year.
Which States Offer Sales Tax Holidays?
As of 2021, the following states offer Sales Tax Holidays to their residents:
1. Alabama - offers a back-to-school sales tax holiday in July.
2. Arkansas - offers a back-to-school and a disaster preparedness sales tax holiday.
3. Connecticut - offers a back-to-school sales tax holiday in August.
4. Florida - offers a disaster preparedness and back-to-school sales tax holiday.
5. Georgia - offers a back-to-school sales tax holiday in July.
6. Iowa - offers a back-to-school sales tax holiday in August.
7. Louisiana - offers a hurricane preparedness and back-to-school sales tax holiday.
8. Maryland - offers a back-to-school sales tax holiday in August.
9. Mississippi - offers a back-to-school and a second amendment sales tax holiday.
10. Missouri - offers a back-to-school sales tax holiday in August.
11. New Mexico - offers a back-to-school sales tax holiday in August.
12. Ohio - offers a back-to-school and energy star sales tax holiday.
13. Oklahoma - offers a back-to-school sales tax holiday in August.
14. South Carolina - offers a back-to-school and hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday.
15. Tennessee - offers a back-to-school and gun sales tax holiday.
16. Texas - offers a disaster preparedness and back-to-school sales tax holiday.
What Items Qualify for Sales Tax Holidays?
The items that qualify for Sales Tax Holidays depend on the state. However, there are a few commonalities between them. Most of the states that have sales tax holidays exempt clothing, footwear, and school supplies. In some states, large-ticket items like computers and accessories, and energy-efficient appliances also qualify. For example, during Ohio's Energy Star holiday, items like refrigerators and washing machines were exempt from sales tax.
Conclusion
Sales Tax Holidays are certainly a welcome relief for consumers. However, it's essential to remember that not all states offer them, and the timing and qualifying items vary from state to state. Before planning your shopping spree during these holidays, it's best to do your research and confirm the specifics for your state. With this article's information, we hope that you're well-equipped to make the most of the next Sales Tax Holiday!