Tax-free weekend starts Friday

SANDUSKY — A yearly state initiative returning this weekend will help families save money on back-to-school shopping. From Friday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 6, people can shop for school supplies and other items without paying sales tax. In 2018, Ohio's tax-free weekend became a permanent fixture when Senate Bill 226 became law. In the past, Ohio offered sales tax holidays in 2015, 2016 and 2017, with each event authorized by a separate bill. The Columbus Dispatch reported that, according to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school spending around the country is expected to reach "record levels" this year, as the total amount consumers are expected to spend rises to $41.5 billion compared to last year's $37 billion. "Families with children in K-12 are expected to spend about $890 on back-to-school supplies for the 2023-24 school year, up $25 from last year," the Dispatch reported. This weekend, people can either shop in-store or order online and pick up in-store to still get tax-free items if an order is picked up during the tax-free dates. In Erie County, the sales tax rate equals 6.75%, meaning people can save $6.75 for every $100 purchased in qualifying items. Anyone looking for deals in Sandusky and Huron counties can save $7.25 for every $100 and Ottawa County shoppers can save $7 for $100 spent. Qualifying items during the tax-free weekend include: • Clothing priced at $75 or less; Many items like shirts to socks to uniforms are included. • School supplies worth $20 or less; This long list incorporates book bags, crayons, pencils, lunch boxes and more. • School instructional material priced at $20 or less; This only includes items like workbooks, textbooks, maps and globes. The tax exemption applies shipping and handling charges during online shopping "if all items in a shipment qualify as eligible items, and the sales price for each is within the sales tax holiday price threshold," according to the Ohio Department of Taxation. "If the shipment includes exempt and taxable items (including an eligible item with a sales price more than of $20 (school supplies)/$75 (clothing), the seller should allocate the shipping and handling charges by a percentage based on the total price of the taxable items to the total price of all the items in the shipment. The retailer must charge tax on the portion of the shipping and handling charges allocated to the taxable items in the shipment." Using coupons or discounts does not affect the sales tax exemption as long as the items still cost less than $75 or $20. Additionally, qualifying items placed on or picked up from layaway during the sales tax holiday are exempt from sales tax. There are, however, items that don't qualify for the promotion. That includes sports equipment and protective equipment, like breathing masks and face shields. Additional items that won't qualify are accessories like briefcases, cosmetics, hair bows, handbags, handkerchiefs, jewelry, sunglasses (non-prescription), umbrellas, wallets, watches and wigs, according to the state tax department. Go to tax.ohio.gov for more information about the sales tax holiday.