Ohio sales tax holiday to help back-to-school shoppers

CHILLICOTHE – Back-to-school shoppers will be able to stock up on clothing and school supplies while not paying any sales tax next weekend, and local businesses are looking forward to getting customers in their stores.

The Ohio sales tax holiday, which runs Aug. 7 through Aug. 9, was created after legislation was passed in 2014 and will allow shoppers to be exempt from paying state and local sales tax on all clothing and footwear up to $75 per item as well as school supplies and instructional materials priced up to $20 per item.

Melissa Martin, who owns Fashion Exchange Consignment at 260 E. Main St., said she was unaware of the sales tax holiday until being told about it by a Gazette reporter.

However, she said that what makes her business unique is the fact she carries name brands that are otherwise not available in Chillicothe and that she thinks the sales tax holiday will be beneficial to shoppers.

Meanwhile, J.C. Penney is making preparations for shoppers that weekend as well, said Doyd Wycinski, store manager.

Wycinski said he was treating the tax-free weekend with “an all hands-on deck staffing similar to a Black Friday event.” He added that shoppers visiting the store will be able to find all of their store inventory in stock as well.

Ohio Council of Retail Merchants President and CEO Gordon Gough expects families and students will take advantage of the tax holiday and stock up on back-to-school items. Eligible items include shirts, shoes, lab coats, belts, socks and disposable diapers, Gough said.

“Taking an additional 7 percent off one notebook might not seem like much, but when you’re spending hundreds of dollars on everything from diapers and shoes to books and school supplies, the savings add up big,” Gough said. “Nationwide, consumers are expected to spend more than $68 billion for back-to-school items. This is a significant annual event for Ohio families.”

He added: “Consumers love to save money, and we expect Ohioans to really enjoy this tax break in August.”

Tanger Outlets in Jeffersonville also expects shoppers to see savings at more than 90 brand-name and designer outlet retailers as a result of the sales tax holiday weekend.

“While there’s still plenty of summer left, it’s never too early for shoppers to find great savings on the latest back-to-school looks for kids of all ages as well as for our fine educators,” Tanger Outlets CEO Steven Tanger said.

Ohio sales tax holiday

When: Aug. 7-9

Items exempt from sales/use tax include: Clothing priced at $75 per item or less; school supplies priced at $20 or less; and school instructional material priced at $20 per item or less.

For more information or for frequently asked questions, visitwww.tax.ohio.gov/sales_and_use/SalesTaxHoliday.aspx.