Florida’s 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday starts Friday

Items exempt from the state’s 6 percent sales tax include clothing, clothing accessories such as hats, scarves, hosiery and handbags, footwear and school supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, binders, computers and software, printers, lunch boxes and calculators.

The 81st Texas Legislature passed HB 1801 in 2009 expanding the list of items qualifying for exemption from Texas state- and local-sales and use-taxes during the annual sales-tax holiday.

That will give local shoppers a 9 percent saving on the covered items when they check out. “This is a great opportunity for families as they get ready to send their children back to school, stock up on basic emergency supplies, or simply want to save money now and for years to come by replacing electricity- and water-hogging appliances with energy-efficient models”. The potential savings are worth noting since, according to the National Retail Federation, the average family spent nearly $700 on school-related items a year ago. Yes, that means Nebraskans and South Dakotans too.

Below is how the Iowa Department of Revenue defines what is clothing. Athletic supporters are exempt, but athletic uniforms are not. For example, if a pair of shoes sells for $105 and you have a manufacturer’s coupon for $10 off, the guidelines say you’ll still have to pay tax. Friday marks the first day of Oklahoma’s Tax Free Weekend in 2015.

However, issuance of a rain check by a seller during the holiday period will not qualify an eligible item for the exemption if the item is actually purchased after the holiday is over even if the rain check is presented at the time of purchase. “You gotta buy new stuff”.

Businesses that are open on these days are required to participate.