Georgia offers tax-free shopping weekend for school supplies

Sen. Bruce Tarr, the Senate Republican leader from Gloucester, unsuccessfully pushed for an amendment that would make the sales tax holiday a permanent fixture, rather than keep consumers in suspense each year as to whether the Legislature will again sign off.

“The sales tax holiday is a shot in the arm for individuals, families and businesses alike”, said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, D-Winthrop, in a statement. This means that it’s a great time to buy back-to-school items and get some awesome bargains.

For all the excitement among retailers and support among elected officials for the state’s holiday, there were reminders of Massachusetts’ northern neighbor with a more expansive – and more permanent – tax reprieve. During the three-day tax holiday, shoppers can save on items such as tax-free clothing, school and art supplies, and computer purchases.

With this chart, you can look up your state, see the sales tax holiday dates, see what’s tax-free that week, and click through to see the full list of items from your state’s official government site.

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.

During this time, sales tax will not be imposed on items such as clothing, shoes, school supplies, book bags, computers, printers, bedspreads and linens. But this mom and daughter didn’t wait for the tax free holiday.

Georgia families will get a second chance to save money with a Fall Tax Free Holiday happening October 2-4, 2015.

Athletic or recreational items, school supplies and computers are also not included. The exemption depends on the actual price paid for each item.

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

“It’s a lack of really understanding … the problems of our Main Streets and our merchants plus a desire to find as many tax dollars as possible by some to spend on… their own priorities”.

While the former certainly still holds true, Floridians can enjoy a temporary break from the latter during the 2015 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday that runs Aug. 7 through Aug. 16.