Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday and Coupons

It’s hard to believe that summer of 2012 will soon be coming to a close and that the back to school season is already fast approaching.  Many schools across the country commence in mid August or after Labor Day in September.  School supplies can get costly for families especially when having various school aged children.  (In our own family, we will be buying for a new ninth grader – High School…YIKES! – and preschool twins).  As families start to prepare their children for the upcoming school year, the back to school sales tax holiday is a great benefit for families to save on expenses.

Many states are participating in back to school sales tax holiday and information can be find on individual state revenue or tax websites.  A listing of state revenue or tax websites can be found by clicking  HERE.  We will be taking advantage of the Florida back to school sales tax holiday this weekend for our back to school supplies that will range from getting items like boxes of tissue papers (for the preschoolers) to scientific calculators (for the teen).

Courtesy of Kiplinger, the following is a list of 2012 Sales-Tax Holidays from the seventeen states that will be participating this year across the nation:

Alabama: August 3-5. Purchases of clothing (up to $100), computers ($750), school supplies ($50) and books ($30) exempt. See a complete list of tax-exempt items.

Arkansas: August 4-5. Purchases of clothing less than $100 and school supplies are exempt. See a complete list of tax-exempt items.

Connecticut: August 19-25. Purchases of clothing and footwear less than $300 exempt. More details.

Florida: August 3-5. Purchases of clothing ($75) and school supplies ($15) exempt. See more information here.

Georgia: August 10-11. Purchases of clothing ($100), computers ($1,000) and school supplies ($20) exempt. More details.

Iowa: August 3-4. Purchases of clothing and footwear less than $100 exempt. See a complete list of tax-exempt items.

Louisiana: August 3-4. Most items less than $2,500 exempt. More details.

Maryland: August 12-18. Purchases of clothing and footwear $100 or less exempt. More details.

Mississippi: July 27-28. Purchases of clothing and footwear less than $100 exempt. More details.

Missouri: August 3-5. Purchases of clothing ($100), computers ($3,500) and school supplies ($50) exempt. More details.

New Mexico: August 3-5. Purchases of clothing (less than $100), computers ($1,000) and school supplies ($15) exempt. More details.

North Carolina: August 3-5. Purchases of clothing ($100), computers ($3,500), school supplies ($100) and sports equipment ($50) exempt. More details.

Oklahoma: August 3-5. Purchases of clothing and footwear less than $100 exempt. See a list of tax-exempt items.

South Carolina: August 3-5. Purchases of clothing, computers and school supplies exempt. See a list of tax-exempt items.

Tennessee: August 3-5. Purchases of clothing ($100), computers ($1,500) and school supplies ($100) exempt. More details.

Texas: August 17-19. Purchases of clothing, footwear, backpacks and school supplies less than $100 exempt. See a list of tax-exempt items.

Virginia: August 3-5. Purchases of clothing and footwear ($100) and school supplies ($20) exempt. See a list of tax-exempt items.

Retailers like Sears, Target, Kohls, Carter’s and more  are also offering coupons and discounts that can be used online and retail locations just in time for back to school savings.  Some coupons for various retailers can be found on the following sites:
http://www.couponsherpa.com/holiday/back-to-school

http://www.retailmenot.com/coupons/backtoschool
http://www.retailmenot.com/deals/backtoschool

http://www.bargainist.com/deals/sections/back-to-school/

 

Also, check out these back-to-school freebies compiled by Mr. Free Stuff:

1. Free Haircut for Kids at JCPenney
JCPenney Salon is offering a free haircut for kids during the month of August. Kids attending kindergarten through sixth grade are eligible for the promotion. Call your local JCPenney or visit their salon to make an appointment.

2. Free Backpack from Old Navy
This one is free-ish, but you were planning on getting your kids’ back-to-school wardrobe from Old Navy anyway, right? Get a free backpack loaded with coupons to OfficeMax with an in-store purchase of $50 or more on Sunday, Aug. 5 (while supplies last).

3. Free Back-to-School eCookBook
Is your kiddo a picky eater? Is that a question that even needs asking? Up the stakes during your nightly battle for nutritional dominance by downloading a free eCookBook from Mr. Food. With 26 healthy, kid-friendly recipes, you’ll finally conquer your kid’s taste buds.

4. Free Back-to-School Haircut From Remington College
Think free haircuts are just for the little ones? Think again. Thirteen locations of Remington College are offering free back-to-school haircuts to anyone under 17 years of age. Check the website for a location near you, and be sure to note the offer dates.

5. Free BIC Pen
Hold onto your hats, people. You can score a free BIC pen if you’re really, really lucky. BIC is giving away 100 pens every hour, 10 hours a day during the month of August. Sign up soon and you just might be the next recipient.

 

Enjoy the Rest of the Summer and Happy Back to School Shopping!