Last Updated on July 8, 2023 by Kimberlee Johnson
Back-to-school time is almost here, and savvy shoppers know timing is important for saving money.
As someone who loves finding ways to save money, I’ve discovered an amazing event called the “Back to School Tax-Free Weekend.”
It’s a special time when you can buy school supplies without paying taxes. But when is back to school tax free weekend?
Today, I’ll tell you the dates from different cities in the United States and give you tips for saving the most during the tax-free weekend. Read on.
When Is The Tax-Free Weekend For Back To School?
Back to school is an expensive time of the year, but many states offer a tax-free weekend to help you save some money, usually in late July or early August.
For example, Florida’s tax-free weekend is from July 24th to August 6th, while Virginia’s is from August 5th to 7th.
Georgia [1] and Alabama’s tax-free weekends are July 31st to August 1st and July 21st to 23rd, respectively.
To ensure you’re taking advantage of the best deals, it’s a good idea to look up your state’s official website and learn more about their tax-free weekend dates and guidelines.
What Exactly Is Included In Florida’s Back-To-School Tax-Free Weekend?
On the list of tax-exempt items in Florida are clothes, footwear, and accessories costing $100 or less, school supplies costing $50, and jigsaw puzzles priced $30 or less.
“Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery.”
– Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. President
That means buying backpacks, notebooks, sneakers, and uniforms can be done all while saving big.
Before you check out, look at the official guidelines from the Florida Department of Revenue to ensure you’re getting the best deals! Get ready to save on all the back-to-school essentials.
What Items Are Included In Virginia’s Back-To-School Tax-Free Weekend?
Among the items listed in Virginia’s back-to-school tax-free weekend are school supplies priced at a maximum of $20 each and clothing and footwear up to $100 per item.
Additionally, emergency preparedness items and select Energy Star and WaterSense products with separate price limits are not subject to taxes.
Examples of such products include:
- Portable generators up to $1,000.
- Gas-powered chainsaws up to $350.
- Energy Star or WaterSense products up to $2,500 used for noncommercial home or personal use.
And luckily, this tax exemption applies to all purchasing forms, including online, mail, phone, and in-store purchases. But when do the back-to-school sales start?
How Long Is Tennessee’s Back-To-School Tax-Free Weekend?
Tennessee’s back-to-school tax-free weekend typically spans three days, from July 28 until July 30, giving ample time to take advantage of the tax exemption.
During this time, items like clothing, school supplies, and computers can be purchased without paying sales tax.
Whether you’re looking for backpacks, notebooks, or electronics, mark your calendar and check the Tennessee Department of Revenue’s official guidelines for the dates and eligible items.
Does Texas Offer A Back-To-School Tax-Free Weekend?
Texas offers an annual tax-free shopping weekend on August 11-13, right before the start of school.
“When the back-to-school tax-free weekend arrives, it’s like a financial breath of fresh air for families, offering a brief respite from the burden of sales tax while preparing for the academic journey ahead.”
– Howkapow Gift Site
For three consecutive days, shoppers can buy school-related items, such as clothing, supplies, and shoes, without paying sales tax.
But when exactly does Apple begin its back-to-school sales event?
What Items Are Tax-Free In Texas’ Tax-Free Weekend?
In Texas’ back-to-school tax-free weekend, many items you’ll need for school, like clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks, are exempt from sales and use taxes if they are priced at less than $100.
This means that popular items like jeans, shirts, shoes, backpacks, lunch boxes, pencils, crayons, notebooks, and binders can be purchased without paying their usual tax.
Why Was The Tax-Free Weekend Created?
The purpose of having a tax-free weekend is to give incentives for business investments [2] and give financial relief to individuals or families at particular points during the year when large purchases are expected.
This period without taxes on certain items helps to elevate the economy and increase consumer expenditure, predominantly in the way of back-to-school supplies, clothing, and shoes.
Besides, it’s an advantageous opportunity for retailers to attract customers and increase sales in a set time, benefitting both consumers and businesses.
FAQs
What state doesn’t have an income tax?
South Dakota, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Alaska, Texas, and Wyoming are all states that do not impose a personal income tax.
What is the most tax-friendly state to reside in?
The most tax-friendly state to reside in is often considered to be Wyoming, with low taxes on property, sales, and personal income.
What is the best place to retire to avoid paying taxes?
The best place to retire and avoid paying taxes is Alaska. It has no state income taxes and low property taxes. But where can you shop for back-to-school clothes?
Is there a tax-free weekend in the entire US?
No, there is not a tax-free weekend in the entire US. Instead, tax-free weekends are only available in certain states as determined by state legislatures.
Final Thoughts
The back-to-school tax-free weekend is a golden opportunity for savvy shoppers to save money on essential items for the upcoming school year.
Based on my research, these tax-free weekends typically occur in late July or early August.
For instance, Florida’s tax-free weekend spans from July 24th to August 6th, while Virginia’s falls from August 5th to 7th.
Similarly, Georgia and Alabama have their tax-free weekends scheduled for July 31st to August 1st and July 21st to 23rd, respectively.
Eligible items usually include clothing, footwear, school supplies, and certain electronics like computers and tablets.
References:
- https://smartasset.com/mortgage/15-things-to-know-before-moving-to-georgia
- https://www.entrepreneur.com/money-finance/5-ways-to-identify-a-promising-business-investment/
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