Sales tax ‘holiday’ this weekend

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Need back-to-school supplies? This weekend is your chance to save some money.

State Rep. Andrew Brenner, R-Powell, has announced that a sales tax “holiday,” created through the passage of Senate Bill 264, is set to be held the first weekend of August.

The intent of the sales tax holiday is to provide parents with some tax relief during back-to-school shopping in preparation for the new school year and to stimulate economic activity for Ohio’s retailers.

From Friday, Aug. 5, through Sunday, Aug. 7, certain items will be exempt from state and county sales and use taxes. Clothing items — up to $75 each — and school supplies or instructional materials — up to $20 each — will be free of taxes if purchased during this weekend, Brenner said. This includes a variety of items, from pencils and paper to pants and jackets, to prepare for the fall.

“I believe that hardworking parents and teachers deserve a tax holiday on school supplies right before the start of the new school year,” Brenner said. “Every little bit helps.”

This year’s back-to-school sales tax holiday is the second consecutive one to be held in Ohio. During last year’s weekend of tax-free sales, an extra $4.7 million in consumption was generated, along with saving consumers about $3.3 million, according to a study produced by the University of Cincinnati.

The study also found that Ohio counties that border other states experienced a 15.48 percent increase in sales tax collection, leading to the conclusion that many out-of-state families traveled to Ohio to take part in the tax holiday.

It is the goal of the state legislature that this year’s sales tax holiday will produce similar results, ultimately saving Ohioans more money during their back-to-school shopping, Brenner said.

Clothes, other back-to-school items to be exempt from sales tax

Staff Report

Information for this story was provided by State Rep. Andrew Brenner, R-Powell.

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