Annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday August 5 - 7

Here's the first hint that summer is ending: Virginia’s sixth annual back-to-school sales tax holiday is August 5, 6 and 7.

During these three days, many school supplies and clothing items will be exempt from state and local sales tax.
 
A variety of school supplies, including notebooks, pens, binders, calculators, paints and crayons, will be tax-free as long as each item costs $20 or less. 

Most clothing and footwear will also be exempt from the five percent sales tax, as long as each item is priced at $100 or less. There is no limit on the number of items you can purchase tax-free, as long as each item qualifies.

Lists of eligible items, along with guidelines and frequently asked questions for both consumers and retailers, are posted on the Department of Taxation website.
 
The sales tax holiday is available to anyone – not just those preparing for school – and all Virginia retailers who sell the exempt products must participate. During the 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 exempt under the guidelines.
 
“When the General Assembly unanimously approved this sales tax holiday in 2006, it did so with the intent of giving families preparing for school a needed tax break,” said Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.

“Returning to class is an exciting time for students, but it can also be a stressful time for their parents. Saving five percent on their purchases is not a great deal, but every bit helps," he said.
 
The 2011 holiday is expected to save Virginians an estimated $4.3 million in sales tax. Virginia also holds sales tax holidays for Energy Star- and WaterSense-qualified products in October, and for hurricane preparedness in May.