A back-to-school sales tax holiday will be held this weekend in Ohio.

It is an opportunity for parents to receive some sales tax relief during back-to-school shopping in preparation for the upcoming school year. This year’s sales tax holiday was authorized in the state budget bill.

From Friday, Aug. 3, through Sunday, Aug. 5, certain back to school items will be exempt from state and county sales and use taxes. Clothing items up to $75 each and school supplies or instructional materials up to $20 each will be free of taxes if purchased during this weekend. This includes a variety of items, from pencils and paper to pants and jackets to prepare for the fall.

Allen County shoppers can save 6.75% on certain back to school necessities because they will not have to pay sales tax on those purchases during this weekend. 

This year’s back-to-school sales tax holiday is the fourth consecutive temporary event to be held in the state of Ohio. Positive experience with prior tax holidays led the legislature to enact  a permanent back to school sales tax holiday for each year on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of August.

The first sales tax holiday was authorized in 2015, and an extra $4.7 million in sales was generated - along with saving consumers approximately $3.3 million, according to a study produced by the University of Cincinnati.  The study also found that Ohio counties that border other states experienced a 15.48 percent increase in sales tax collection with many out-of-state families coming to Ohio to take part in the tax holiday but also purchasing goods still subject to the sales tax.

It is expected that this year’s sales tax holiday will produce results similar to those of prior years, and ultimately saving Ohioans money during their back-to-school shopping. 

Additional information on the Sales Tax Holiday is available through the Ohio Department of Taxation.