Save with Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekends and AAFES
When back-to-school season is in session, there are plenty of ways to save money on school supplies, clothing, and computers. We explore some of the options below.
States with Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekends
During state tax-free weekends, you can shop for items such as clothing, shoes, and school supplies without paying sales tax. Many states offer tax-free shopping dates and might have slightly different rules for what qualifies.
Exchange Offering Extra Savings for the School Year
The Army & Air Force Exchange Services announced that Exchange shoppers can take advantage of extra savings during this year’s back-to-school shopping season.
Some Exchanges participate in the sales-tax holiday by offering discounts on eligible back-to-school items. The discount will be equal to the local sales tax rate in the area of the participating Exchange.
Currently, when shopping at the Exchange, military members and their dependents do not pay sales tax, so they have chosen to use this opportunity to offer an extra discount based on local sales tax rates.
This added discount will be a welcomed opportunity to save money on school supplies. It is important to remember that this discount is only being offered in stores and not online.
States with Tax-Free Holidays for Back-to-School
The sales-tax holiday discount is offered on select dates in different states where certain back-to-school items (and other products) are offered free of state sales tax. Below is a list of participating states, scheduled discount dates, and items available for discount.
List of States with Tax-Free Holidays for Back-to-School
Alabama – July 19-21
Clothing, computers, school supplies, and books.
Arkansas – Aug 3-4
Clothing and school supplies.
Connecticut – Aug 18-24
Clothing and footwear.
Florida – July 29-Aug 11
Clothing, school supplies, and computers.
Illinois – Sept. 1-7
Reduced rate for tools
Iowa – Aug 2-3
Clothing and shoes
Maryland – Aug 11-17
Clothing, footwear, and backpacks.
Massachusetts – Aug 10-11
All “personal use” retail items
Mississippi – Jul 12-14
Clothing and footwear
Missouri – Aug 2- Aug. 4
Clothing, computers, computer equipment, and school supplies.
Nevada Oct. 25-27
Tax-free purchases for all National Guard members.
New Jersey Aug. 24-Sept.2
School supplies, computers
New Mexico – Aug 4-6
Clothing, computers, computer equipment, and school supplies.
Ohio – Aug 2-4
Clothing and school supplies.
Oklahoma – Aug 2-4
Clothing
South Carolina – Aug 2-4
Clothing, school supplies, computers, and others.
Tennessee – July 26-28
Clothing, school supplies, and computers.
Texas – May 25-27
Clothing, backpacks, and school supplies.
Virginia – Aug. 2-4
Clothing, school supplies, energy star products, hurricane preparedness items, and generators.
West Virginia – Aug 2-5
Clothing, school supplies, sports equipment, computers, and tablets.
AAFES Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekend Offer Additional Savings
At AAFES, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, you can shop tax-free every day. During tax-free weekends you may find an additional percentage off depending on location. This added discount is typicall equal to your state’s tax rate.
For example, in Florida, the sales tax rate is 6%. You would save 6% regularly at your local AAFES. During the AAFES tax-free weekend, you would save an additional 6%.
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