For a week, shoppers in Maryland will be spared the state’s 6 percent sales tax on certain clothing and shoes.
The state’s Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is set for Sunday, Aug. 10 to Saturday, Aug. 16 and will mean no sales tax for shoppers who buy clothing and shoes priced at $100 or less.
The annual sales tax holiday began in 2007 as a way to encourage economic activity in what’s traditionally the lead up to the new school year.
“Each year this initiative helps Maryland families and gives large and small retailers a boost in these financially challenging times,” Comptroller Peter Franchot said in a press release. “All hard-working Maryland moms and dads deserve this annual tax break as they prepare to send their children back to school.”
Franchot promoted the event last year at Westfield Montgomery mall and said he would like to see the tax holiday expanded to cover school supplies and backpacks. The state loses about $5 million in sales tax revenue each year because of the holiday, according to the comptroller’s office.
Businesses selling items that aren’t eligible for the tax free week can sell products tax-free, but are responsible for paying the state the amount in sales tax that would have been collected.
