Georgia Offers Tax-Free Shopping for School Supplies

Mississippi also had its first “Second Amendment Weekend Holiday” last year, held the first weekend in September, which allows firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies to be purchased tax free.

Food and most clothing are already exempt from the Massachusetts sales tax. For more information about discounts, shopping online and eligible items visit: www.tax.ohio.gov/sales_and_use/salestaxholiday/holidayfaq.aspx.

State Tax Commissioner Joe Testa says the General Assembly has approved the tax holiday for this year only but will likely study the outcome and then revisit the idea.

“School supplies” – any item normally used by students in a standard classroom for educational purposes, including but not limited to, textbooks, notebooks, paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, handheld calculators, chalk, maps, and globes. Items with a price higher than these limits will be taxed as usual.

Cigarettes, cars, motorboats and any item costing more than $2,500 are exempted from the sales tax holiday.

Critics complain the state forgoes some $25 million in tax revenue without generating new economic activity because shoppers simply shift or delay purchases to that weekend.

She added, “We wanted Ohio consumers to benefit from tax free sales, just as other states do”.

Anything purchased for a trade or a business is not eligible for the tax exemption.

The bill directs the revenue commissioner to take actions to comply with federal requirements that states simplify the collection of sales and use taxes from remote sellers, including providing “adequate” software and services to such sellers.

Question: How will the sales tax holiday apply to rain checks? The retailer must provide the consumer credit for both the purchase price and sales tax paid on the item being returned.

School supplies qualifying as tax-free must cost under $100 each.

Question: Does an item placed on lay-away during the sales tax holiday qualify for the exemption?

Kroger will be promoting the tax holiday in their advertising.

Cobb residents can take advantage of Georgia’s tax-free holiday starting Friday, getting a break on school supplies, electronics and clothing before the start of school in the county next week.