Back-to-school sales tax breaks

Jul 30, 2009 3:35 PM

With back-to-school just around the corner, shoppers—students and parents alike—can find a bit of relief from costly school supplies.

According to DealNews.com, some states are waiving local sales tax on items such as computers, clothing, “school supplies” and even small appliances.

Some of these local, “tax-free” offers start today and last for some time. Other states’ waivers are valid only for a certain span of days.

Either way, check the list below to see when—or if—your state will offer these shopping incentives, and for what products. (For instance, some states only ax the tax on clothing, while others includes school supplies, and still others on computers.)

School supplies, computers, and clothing:

Alabama (August 7-9)—applies to certain school supplies, computers, and clothing.

Georgia (July 30 - August 2)—Clothes and footwear under $100 (per item), computers and accessories of $1,500 or less, and school supplies $20 or less (per item).

Louisiana (August 7-8)—Applies to "all consumer purchases of tangible personal property for non-business use."

Missouri (August 7-9)—Clothing $100 or less, school supplies under $50 (per purchase), computer software of $350 or less, computers under $3,500, computer peripherals under $3,500.

New Mexico (August 7-9)—Applies to clothing and footwear under $100, computers of $1,000 or less, computer peripherals of $500 or less, and school supplies.

North Carolina (August 7-9)—Applies to clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less (per item), school instructional materials of $300 or less (per item), sports and recreational equipment of $50 or less (per item), computers of $3,500 or less (per item), and computer supplies of $250 or less (per item).

South Carolina (August 7-9)—Applies to clothing, footwear, school supplies, computers, computer software, comforter sets, bedspreads, linens, and more.

Tennessee (August 7-10)—Applies to clothing and footwear of $100 or less, school supplies of $100 or less, and computers of $1,500 or less.

Texas (August 21-23)—Applies to clothing and footwear under $100 (per item), backpacks under $100 (per item), and select school supplies priced at less than $100 (per item).