CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shoppers in West Virginia are enjoying a bit of a reprieve from paying taxes on certain back-to-school items through the end of the day.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, the state’s Sales Tax Holiday runs from Friday to Monday. According to the West Virginia Tax Division’s website.
“The West Virginia State Sales Tax Holiday begins each year on the Friday before the first Sunday in August and ends the following Monday. For 2024, it will begin at 12:00 a.m. on Friday August 2, 2024 and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Monday August 5, 2024.”
There will be no sales tax on certain back-to-school items such as clothing, school supplies, instructional materials, laptops and tablets and sports equipment.
West Virginia Retailers Association President Bridget Lambert said it’s a great opportunity for consumers to shop in-person and save some money.
Gov. Jim Justice said the average customer will save at least 6% on every qualified purchase and up to 7% if they purchase the item in a municipality that has imposed a local sales tax.
The following items are exempt from the state’s sales tax during the holiday:
Clothing and footwear — $125 or less
Computers and tablets — $500 or less
School instructional materials — $20 or less
School supplies — $50 or less
Sports equipment — $150 or less
Lambert said some families really need the financial help this time of year. The holiday also helps retailers prepare for the holiday season.
Local malls, shopping centers and stores are also offering up deals and additional ways to save during the weekend.
Maryland
Meanwhile in Maryland, Tax-Free Shopping Week Runs From August 11 Through August 17
Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman says the state’s tax-free shopping week takes place from August 11th through the 17th. During the tax holiday all clothing and footwear items under one-hundred dollars will be exempt from the state’s six-percent sales tax and the first 40 dollars toward the purchase of a backpack will also be tax-free. The annual tax-free shopping week coincides with back-to-school shopping for many Maryland families.