Maryland, Virginia offer sales tax holidays ahead of new school year

Back to school is fast approaching and parents need to stock up their kids on clothes, pencils, bookbags and all the school essentials.

To help families save some cash on the return to class, both Maryland and Virginia are offering sales tax holidays.

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Here’s what you need to know.

Virginia

Virginia’s three-day sales tax holiday starts on Friday, Aug. 7 at 12:01 a.m. and lasts until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9.

The sales tax holiday extends to multiple school supplies being sold for $20 or less and clothing items, including sports equipment, selling for $100 or less.

See the full list of items below:

Virginia’s sales-tax-free weekend also extends to items for hurricane preparedness as well as certain energy-saving appliances.

See the full list of items below:

Maryland

Maryland’s sales tax holiday is set to last for an entire week.

The tax-free week is set to start on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 12:01 a.m. and last until Saturday, Aug. 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Though the tax holiday in Maryland is longer, its scope is smaller. Only certain clothing, footwear, backpacks and bookbags are eligible.

Examples of tax-free clothing and footwear, according to the state, are sweaters, shirts, slacks, jeans, dresses, robes, underwear, belts, shoes, and boots priced at $100 or less. The first $40 of a backpack/bookbag purchase is tax-exempt.

See a full list of frequently asked questions below: