Alexandria – Virginia’s fourth annual back-to-school sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 7 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9. During this three-day period, customers will not be charged the 5 percent state and local retail sales tax on school supplies priced at $20 or less per item, or on articles of clothing, including footwear, costing $100 or less each. This includes items like pencils, pens, binders, paints, musical instruments and calculators, as well as pants, shirts, formal wear, shoes, flip-flops, and even uniforms.
“As a parent, I know how expensive getting ready for school can be,” said Delegate David Englin (D-45). “More than ever, families need a hand making ends meet, and this will provide some relief. It will also give our local retailers a boost. What better opportunity to invite your friends in D.C. and Maryland to come and enjoy a weekend of shopping in our community?”
Lists of exempt items, along with guidelines for the sales tax holiday and a set of frequently asked questions, are available on the Tax Department’s Sales Tax Holiday Information Center at www.tax.virginia.gov.
This sales tax holiday is for all taxpayers in Virginia, not just for those with children heading back to school, so now’s a good time to stock up on office supplies or clothing for adults as well. There is no limit on the number of items you can buy as long as each one qualifies under the holiday’s guidelines.
During this sales tax holiday, retailers may also choose to save taxpayers even more by opting to pay the sales tax themselves on items that are not eligible for exemption.
“The citizens of the Commonwealth are savvy, and they know that the August sales tax holiday is a great way to put a little more back in the family budget,” said Tax Commissioner Janie Bowen. “This has been a popular sales tax holiday every year since it was implemented, and I have no doubt even more thrifty families will be out there this year taking advantage of this opportunity to stretch their dollars a little further.”
It is estimated that Virginia taxpayers will save $4 million in sales tax this year.
