Sales Tax Holidays offer shoppers savings for a limited period by exempting sales tax on certain purchases. Washington, DC, and Virginia offer a Sales Tax Holiday in August just in time for back-to-school shopping. Washington, DC also offers a second Sales Tax Holiday in November for holiday shopping. For 2008 Virginia is offering a few specialized sales tax holidays. Here are dates and details about the special exemptions in the Washington area.
Washington, DC’s Sales Tax Holiday
August and November, exact dates to be announced.The DC Sales Tax Holiday saves shoppers 5.75 percent sales tax when purchasing clothes, accessories, shoes and school supplies. The sales tax exemption applies to each eligible item that costs $100 or less.
For more information, see the web site for the DC Office of Tax and Revenue
Maryland Sales Tax Holiday
The state of Maryland is NOT holding a sales tax holiday this year. The Maryland General Assembly did not pass legislation authorizing the program for 2007 or 2008. So, if you live in Maryland, you'll have to take advantage of the sales tax holidays in Washington, DC and Virginia.In prior years, the Maryland Sales Tax Holiday gave shoppers a 5 percent savings on qualifying clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less. Qualifying apparel included belts, coats, jackets, pants, shoes, socks and sweaters. The sales tax exemption applied to each eligible item, regardless of how many items you purchase at the same time.
For more information, visit the web site for the Comptroller of Maryland
Virginia Sales Tax Holiday
May 25-31, 2008.New! Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Equipment. Due to weather damage this year, purchases of items of hurricane preparedness equipment will be tax exempt. Portable generators must be priced at $1,000 or less, and other eligible items must be priced at $60 or less.
August 1-3, 2008
During the Virginia Sales Tax Holiday shoppers will save 5 percent on purchases of school supplies costing $20 or less per item, or clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less. The sales tax exemption applies to each eligible item, regardless of how many items you purchase at the same time.
October 10-13, 2008
New! Energy Star Qualified Products, such as energy-efficient appliances, will be exempt from Virginia sales tax. Eligible products must be priced at $2,500 or less and be purchased for noncommercial use.
For more information, visit the web site for the Virginia Department of Taxation
For suggestions of where to find the best back-to-school items, see the Back-to-School Shopping Guide for the Washington, DC Area
