COLUMBUS – Ohio parents will get a break from sales taxes this weekend as they head to stores and websites in search of back-to-school clothing and supplies.
What you need to know about Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday Aug 2-4, 2019
The state’s annual “sales tax holiday” on supplies and clothing runs from midnight Friday until midnight Sunday.
According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary school through high school are expected to spend an average $696.70 per child, approximately 1.7 percent more than last year, while those with college students are expected to spend an average $976.78, compared to $942.17, an increase of 3.6 percent.
Ohio's sales tax holiday will take place from August 2-4 this year. Clothing, school supplies, and instructional materials will be exempt during this time. Let us know if you have questions! pic.twitter.com/xftL4CilaI
— Ohio Department of Taxation (@OhioTaxation) July 24, 2019
During the tax-free weekend shoes and clothing priced less than $75 and school supplies and instructional materials priced at $20 or less will be exempt from state and local sales taxes.
Online vendors, as well as brick-and-mortar stores, will waive taxes on designated items.
The list of eligible items includes purchases such as textbooks, reference books, markers, calculators, lunch boxes, shoes, uniforms, coats, diapers and even formal wear if it’s under the $75 threshold. Materials bought for use in a business or trade aren’t eligible.
The Department of Taxation says as long as the individual items are eligible, there is no limit on the amount of the total tax-exempt transaction.
Now, in its fifth year, Ohio’s sales tax holiday started as a pilot project in 2015 and was made permanent last year. Reportedly, 16 states set aside time when sales taxes are waived.