Tax holidays arrive in time for new school year

WASHINGTON – It’s back-to-school time and that means Virginia and Maryland’s tax holidays for clothing has arrived.

Virginia’s tax holiday runs from Aug. 1 to Aug. 3. Purchases of school supplies, clothing and footwear are exempt from the state’s 2.5 percent sales tax.

Each item of school supplies must cost $20 or less and each item of clothing or pair of shoes must cost $100 or less to qualify.

Common school supplies eligible for the tax holiday include binders, index cards, musical instruments, pens, pencils and sketch books.

Find a complete list of exempt items here.

Virginia has put together a list of frequently asked questions.

In Maryland, shoppers can take advantage of the sales tax holiday from Aug. 10 through Aug. 16.

Each piece of clothing and pair of shoes must cost $100 or less to be exempt from the 6 percent sales tax. Eligible clothing includes sweaters, shirts, jeans, dresses, robes, underwear and belts. Unlike Virginia, school supplies are not included in the tax holiday.

Find a complete list of exempt and taxed items here.

Maryland has created a frequently asked questions page.

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