Attention buyers: sales tax holiday lasts until Sunday | News, Sports, Jobs

Ohio has a sales tax holiday until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, but consumers will have to follow several ins and outs of the rules.

While on vacation, the following items are exempt from state sales and use tax:

* A garment at $ 75 or less;

* An item of school supplies at $ 20 or less; and

* One item of school teaching material priced at $ 20 or less.

Because we are talking about taxation and government, it is not that simple.

For example, would the purchase of two shirts, two pants, a pair of shoes, and a jacket (each item cost $ 50, total purchase $ 300) be exempt from tax? There is no limit on the total purchase amount. Qualification is determined item by item.

“Back to school is very important for retailers, just after the holiday season in terms of sales. The Ohio sales tax holiday, while primarily designed to help parents buy more clothing and supplies for their children, is also good for the retail industry, ”Joe said. Bell, spokesperson for Eastwood Mall Owner / Operator, Cafaro Company.

“The National Retail Federation estimates that parents and students will spend more than $ 37 billion nationally this year on school needs, much more than last year,” Bell said.

While clothing is eligible for the holiday, the following items are not and are subject to tax:

* Items purchased for use in a trade or business;

* Clothing accessories or equipment, such as briefcases; beauty products; hairdressing articles, including barrettes, hair loops and hair nets; hand bags; handkerchiefs; jewelry; sunglasses (without prescription); umbrellas; wallets; watches; and wigs and hairpieces;

* Protective equipment such as respiratory masks; cleanroom clothing and equipment; hearing and hearing protection; face shields; helmets; helmets; paint or dust respirators; protective gloves; safety glasses and glasses; Seatbelt; tool belts; and welders gloves and masks;

* Sewing equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, knitting needles, patterns, pins, scissors, sewing machines, sewing needles, tape measures and thimbles; and sewing materials which form part of “clothing” including, but not limited to, buttons, fabric, lace, thread, thread and zippers;

* Sports or recreational equipment. This includes ballet shoes and tap dancing; sports shoes with studs or studs; gloves, including, but not limited to baseball, bowling, boxing, hockey and golf; protective glasses; hand and elbow guards; life jackets and vests; mouth guards; roller and ice skates; Shin pads; shoulder pads; skiing boots; waders; and wetsuits and fins.

Take out your calculator now.

If the selling price of an item of clothing is $ 80, is the first $ 75 exempt from sales tax? No. The exemption applies to items sold for $ 75 or less. If an item of clothing sells for more than $ 75, tax is due on the full sale price.

“Clothing” is defined as all human clothing suitable for general use. “Clothing” includes shirts; blouses; sweaters; Pants; shorts; skirts; Dresses; uniforms (sports and non-sports); shoes and shoe laces; insoles for shoes; sneakers; sandals; boots; shoe covers; slippers; steel-toed shoes; underwear; socks and stockings; hosiery; tights; feet; coats and jackets; rainwear; gloves and mittens for general use; hats and caps; ear muffs; belts and suspenders; ties; scarves; aprons (household and store); lab coats; sports supporters; swimwear and caps; beach capes and coats; disguises; blankets for babies; diapers, children and adults, including disposable diapers; rubber pants; garters and garter belts; belts; formal wear; and wedding clothes.

For children, “school supplies” include only the following: school bags; book bags; calculators; tape; chalk for blackboard; compasses; composition books; colouring pencils; erasers; shirts (stretch, pocket, plastic and shackle); glue, glue and glue sticks; highlighters; files; index card boxes; legal buffers; lunch boxes; Markers; notebooks; paper; loose-leaf lined notebook paper, copy paper, grid paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, notice board and construction paper; pencil boxes and other boxes of school supplies; sharpener; pencils; pens; rapporteurs; leaders; scissors and writing tablets.

A retailer cannot divide items that are normally sold together in order to fall below the selling price threshold.

The total price of items advertised as “buy one, get one free” or “buy one at a reduced price” cannot be averaged to qualify the two items for the exemption. The exemption depends on the actual price paid for each item. For example, if a consumer purchases an item of clothing for $ 80 and receives another item for free, the purchase is subject to sales tax.

If a retailer offers a discount to reduce the price of an eligible item to $ 20 (applies to school supplies) or less, or $ 75 (applies to clothing) or less, the item will be eligible for the ‘exemption. This applies to all discounts, even if a retailer’s coupon or loyalty card is required to secure the discount. If a retailer accepts a coupon that qualifies them for a third-party refund, such as a manufacturer’s coupon, the discount offered by the coupon does not reduce the sale price of the item for the purposes of determining whether the item qualifies for the exemption.

For more details, visit the Ohio Department of Taxation website at https://tax.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/tax/help-center/faqs/sales-and-use -tax-sales-tax-holiday / sales% 20and-use-tax-sales-tax-vacances

[email protected]