August 5, 2022
Back to school shopping can be stressful. From securing the required items on class lists to expenses, the process gets a bit overwhelming. However, this weekend provides an opportunity for both Ohio and West Virginia residents to save money with sales tax holidays, which kicked off today in both states.
Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday runs through 11:59 p.m. this Sunday, Aug. 7., while West Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday will end 11:59 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8.
The Sales Tax Holiday is a great time to purchase back to school essentials from supplies and instructional materials to clothing.
In Ohio, the following items are exempt from sales and use tax:
- An item of school supplies priced at $20 or less.
- An item of school instructional material priced at $20 or less.
- An item of clothing priced at $75 or less.
There is no limit on the amount of the total purchase as the qualification for the holiday is determined item by item.
Items that are not exempt include the following:
- Items used in a trade or business.
- Items such as clothing accessories, protective equipment, sports equipment, costume masks and patches.
If you are looking to shop online, items ordered can qualify for the sales tax exemption. According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, “Qualified items sold to consumers by mail, telephone, e-mail or Internet shall qualify for the sales tax exemption if the consumer orders and pays for the item and the retailer accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.”
For more information and details on Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday, visit https://tax.ohio.gov/help-center/faqs/sales-and-use-tax-sales-tax-holiday/sales%20and-use-tax-sales-tax-holiday.
In West Virginia, the following items are exempt from sales and use tax:
- Certain clothing with a purchase price of $125 or less.
- Certain school supplies with a purchase price of $50 or less.
- Certain school instruction material with a purchase price of $20 or less.
- Certain laptops and tablet computers with a purchase price of $500 or less.
- Certain sports equipment with a purchase price of $150 or less.
There is no limit on the amount of total purchase. The qualification is determined by each individual item.
Items that are bought in a trade business are not exempt under the sales tax holiday.
West Virginians who prefer to shop online can participate in the holiday as well under certain conditions. According to the West Virginia State Department of Taxation, “Qualified items sold to consumers in West Virginia by mail, telephone, e-mail or internet shall qualify for the sales tax exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.”
For more information and details on West Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday, visit https://tax.wv.gov/Business/Pages/SalesTaxHoliday.aspx#:~:text=The%20West%20Virginia%20State%20Sales,and%20ends%20the%20following%20Monday.
From all of us at OVB, we wish our area students and teachers a happy and successful academic year!
