Helping Families Save on Back-to-School Shopping: Ohio Sales Tax Holiday Set for August 4-6
A Guest Column by State Senator Steve Wilson
July 20, 2017
Steve Wilson News
As a father and grandfather, I understand all too well the high cost associated with back-to-school shopping. In the Ohio Senate, we know that Ohio’s families could use some help, and we are committed to providing some relief during the expensive back-to-school season. That is why, for the third year in a row, the General Assembly has passed the Ohio Sales Tax Holiday to help families stretch their dollars a little further as they prepare to send their kids back to school.
Two years ago the Senate enacted Ohio’s first Sales Tax Holiday – a pilot project to see how consumers would respond to the tax-free weekend. The results were overwhelmingly successful, as Ohioans saved millions of dollars and retailers saw a significant boost in sales. The Sales Tax Holiday was renewed in 2016 and Ohio families were once again able to save money while buying essential clothing and school items.
This year, I co-sponsored Senate Bill 9 to reestablish the Sales Tax Holiday for 2017. Beginning Friday, August 4 and running through Sunday, August 6, families can take advantage of this unique tax-free weekend when purchasing select items. But the benefits don’t stop there – over the past two years retailers have offered additional discounts to coincide with the tax holiday weekend, thus increasing savings even further.
All shoes and clothing priced less than $75 will be exempt from state and local sales and use taxes during this period. School supplies and instructional materials priced at $20 or less will also be tax exempt. Even online vendors will be more affordable, as they will waive local and state sales taxes on designated items during the three-day tax holiday.
The Sales Tax Holiday is a win-win for Ohio’s families, teachers, businesses and most importantly, students. I hope that families will take advantage of this opportunity to keep more of their hard earned money in their pockets as they prepare for the upcoming school year and provide their kids with the items they need to succeed inside the classroom.
For more information about Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday, including specifics on which items qualify for savings, please visit the Ohio Department of Taxation's website at http://www.tax.ohio.gov/sales_and_use/SalesTaxHoliday.aspx.
Two years ago the Senate enacted Ohio’s first Sales Tax Holiday – a pilot project to see how consumers would respond to the tax-free weekend. The results were overwhelmingly successful, as Ohioans saved millions of dollars and retailers saw a significant boost in sales. The Sales Tax Holiday was renewed in 2016 and Ohio families were once again able to save money while buying essential clothing and school items.
This year, I co-sponsored Senate Bill 9 to reestablish the Sales Tax Holiday for 2017. Beginning Friday, August 4 and running through Sunday, August 6, families can take advantage of this unique tax-free weekend when purchasing select items. But the benefits don’t stop there – over the past two years retailers have offered additional discounts to coincide with the tax holiday weekend, thus increasing savings even further.
All shoes and clothing priced less than $75 will be exempt from state and local sales and use taxes during this period. School supplies and instructional materials priced at $20 or less will also be tax exempt. Even online vendors will be more affordable, as they will waive local and state sales taxes on designated items during the three-day tax holiday.
The Sales Tax Holiday is a win-win for Ohio’s families, teachers, businesses and most importantly, students. I hope that families will take advantage of this opportunity to keep more of their hard earned money in their pockets as they prepare for the upcoming school year and provide their kids with the items they need to succeed inside the classroom.
For more information about Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday, including specifics on which items qualify for savings, please visit the Ohio Department of Taxation's website at http://www.tax.ohio.gov/sales_and_use/SalesTaxHoliday.aspx.