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Attorney General Mike DeWine
Tips for Consumers
ahead of Sales Tax Holiday
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today offered
consumer protection tips ahead of Ohio’s sales tax holiday, which runs
this Friday through Sunday.
“As people take advantage of the sales tax holiday and complete their
back-to-school shopping, we want them to be prepared,” Attorney General
DeWine said. “We’ve helped thousands of people resolve consumer
complaints, and we know that many disputes are the result of a
misunderstanding. We put an emphasis on prevention to help people avoid
problems and make the most of their money.”
During the sales tax holiday, the following items are exempt from sales
and use tax:
Clothing priced at $75 per item or less;
School supplies priced at $20 per item or less; and
School instructional materials priced at $20 per item or
less.
The Ohio Department of Taxation provides detailed information about the
sales tax holiday on its website, including FAQs about what is and what
is not exempt from sales tax during the holiday.
Tips for consumers include:
Plan ahead. The sales tax holiday runs from Friday, Aug. 4, through
Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. Determine in advance the purchases you want to
make, and review the Department of Taxation’s FAQs to understand what
is and what is not exempt from sales and use tax during the sales tax
holiday. Also research sellers’ reputations by reading customer reviews
and checking for complaints on file with the Ohio Attorney General’s
Office and Better Business Bureau.
Understand return policies before you buy. In Ohio, sellers can choose
to set their own return policies, including policies of “no returns,”
but they should clearly tell you what their return policy is before you
check out or complete the transaction. For example, the return policy
shouldn’t be posted only on the back of a receipt.
Stay safe online. Research websites you plan to use, and make sure a
website is secure before you enter any personal information or payment
details. In the web address, look for the “s” in “https” and/or a lock
symbol to help ensure a website has security features. Also consider
paying with a credit card, which generally gives you stronger
protections to dispute unauthorized charges.
Check the exclusions and limitations of an offer. Exclusions and
limitations must be clearly disclosed in advertisements, including
online, so review terms and conditions carefully before you go to the
store or make a purchase.
Keep your receipts. Maintaining a complete record of a sale will help
you handle problems that may arise after the purchase. Keep receipts,
copies of advertisements, photos of products, and other documentation
until the transaction and billing process are complete.
Monitor your accounts. Regularly check your credit card and bank
accounts for unauthorized charges or unexpected activity. If you find
problems, immediately notify your credit card provider or bank. The
sooner you identify a problem, the sooner you can work to correct it.
Protect your personal information. Don’t carry around extra, unneeded
credit cards, debit cards, or other sensitive information in your
wallet or purse. Also limit giving out your personal information. Check
privacy policies to see how sellers will use your information.
Watch for scams and identity theft. Con artists operate year round. If
you receive a message saying you’ve won the lottery, the IRS is coming
to arrest you, or a family member is out of the country and in need of
money immediately, it’s likely a scam. Also, help watch for signs of
potential identity theft by checking your credit report using
www.AnnualCreditReport.com.
Consumers who need help addressing a consumer problem or question
should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at
www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
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