Despite tight budget times, back-to-school shoppers will get a three-day sales tax reprieve as they return to stores to buy the clothes, supplies and other necessities without having to pay the state’s 6 percent sales tax and any additional local option taxes.
Backed by retail groups that contend the sales tax holiday brings in more tax revenue then it costs, the House passed the measure (HB 773) by a 117-1 vote and sent it to the Senate for that chamber’s approval.
The bill allows sales tax purchases of clothing up to $100 per item, supplies up to $10 and computer-related goodies up to $750 during a three-day period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 12.
The three-day holiday will cost the state $34.7 million in lost revenue while local governments would lose about $7.5 million.
Retailers say the revenue lost by school-related purchase is offset by increases sales of taxable merchandise.
