COLUMBUS, Ohio – A central Ohio state senator’s bill to create a “sales tax holiday” in Ohio has cleared the Senate and is on its way to the House.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Bacon (R–Minerva Park) would set aside three days in August when the sales tax on certain back-to-school items is waived in hopes of boosting sales during one of the most important shopping periods of the year.
“A sales tax holiday in Ohio would create a ‘black Friday-like’ excitement during those three days. It also offers Ohio residents a break on needed clothing items, school supplies and computers.” Bacon said.
The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
Bacon says a sales tax weekend would save Ohioans about $78 million while beefing up sales. He cites data from the Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati, which says retail sales volume statewide would jump 4.8% in August if the General Assembly implements the tax holiday, already in place in one form or another in more than a dozen other states.
Bacon’s proposal includes a state sales tax suspension on the following items:
School Supplies such as pencils, pens, binders, and lunch boxes priced $20 or less,
Clothing Items such as denim, sweaters, and jackets priced $100 or less
Computers and devices such as electronic book readers, laptops, and desktop computers priced $1000 or less.
Computer accessories such as a keyboard, mouse or non-recreational software priced $750 or less.