Tax-free weekends offer buyers savings for a limited period by exempting sales tax on certain purchases. Shoppers in the Washington, DC area with access to Maryland and Virginia have the opportunity to purchase certain items during a sales tax holiday in August, just in time for back-to-school purchases. A second tax-free weekend is held to encourage people to buy energy-efficient appliances.
Washington, DC, Tax Free Weekend
The sales tax exemptions were repealed in 2010 to avoid the loss of approximately $ 640,000 in sales tax revenue for the fiscal year, and have not been rescheduled. If this changes in future years, the DC Revenue and Tax Office will publish the dates.
Washington, DC’s previous tax-free weekends saved shoppers a 5.75 percent sales tax when purchasing clothing, accessories, shoes, and school supplies. The sales tax exemption applies to each eligible item that costs $ 100 or less.
However, Washington DC residents can travel to Maryland and Virginia to take advantage of tax-free shopping twice a year.
Maryland Tax Free Week
The Maryland Comptroller’s Office schedules two tax-free periods to assist buyers at different times of the year.
August 12-18, 2018 – This Maryland sales tax exemption offers buyers 6 percent savings on apparel and footwear priced at $ 100 or less. Qualifying garments include belts, coats, jackets, pants, shoes, socks, and sweaters. The sales tax exemption applies to every eligible item, regardless of how many items you purchase at the same time. The first $ 40 of a backpack is also tax free.
February 17-19, 2018. A tax-free weekend on select Energy Star products including air conditioners, washers and dryers, ovens, heat pumps, full-size refrigerators, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), dehumidifiers and thermostats programmable. Energy Star items are those designed to save energy and last longer.
Tax Free Weekend in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Taxation combines its sales tax-exempt opportunities on one weekend, August 3-5, 2018. During the Virginia sales tax holiday, buyers will save on purchases of school supplies that cost $ 20 or less per item, or clothing and footwear priced at $ 100 or less. The sales tax exemption applies to every eligible item, regardless of how many items you purchase at the same time. Purchases of products that meet Energy Star and WaterSense requirements, such as certain energy-efficient appliances, are also exempt from Virginia sales tax.
Eligible products must be priced at $ 2,500 or less for each item and must be purchased for non-commercial personal or household use. Additionally, purchases of items designated as hurricane preparedness equipment are exempt from Virginia sales tax.
