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State Senate President Keith Faber
Keeping More of
Your Hard-Earned Money: Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday Returns
As the father of two school-age children, I know how expensive it can
be to prepare students to return to the classroom for another school
year. That is why I am pleased to remind families that we have renewed
the Ohio Sales Tax Holiday again this year to give parents much-needed
relief during the back-to-school shopping season.
This three-day exemption from qualifying sales taxes is meant to ease
the burden for families and to ensure that students have the items
necessary to succeed in the classroom. We have made sure to schedule
the 2016 Sales Tax Holiday to provide parents and educators with an
opportunity to save the most money at a time that we all know can
quickly become costly.
Beginning Friday, August 5th through Sunday, August 7th, this tax-free
weekend is an opportunity for families to keep more of their
hard-earned money when shopping for back-to-school necessities.
Shoes and clothing priced below $75 will be exempt from state and local
sales and use taxes during this period. School supplies and
instructional materials priced at $20 or less will also be exempt and
online vendors are also required to waive local and state sales taxes
on designated items during the tax holiday. This is a win-win for
students, their families and local businesses. Removing the burden of
sales taxes for these three days ensures that children are equipped to
succeed and parents are able to save more.
As in 2015, shoppers and retailers are sure to benefit from this
initiative. Ohioans saved approximately $3.3 million on back-to-school
items during the three-day period last year, resulting in a 6.48
percent boost in statewide retail sales in August 2015. Counties
located along state lines fared even better, averaging nearly an 11
percent increase in county sales tax collections.
This opportunity for Ohio families is one part of our commitment to
boosting Ohio's economy and improving our business climate by lowering
taxes and cutting red tape. More than 428,000 new private sector jobs
have been created in our state since January 2011 and my colleagues and
I will continue to prioritize jobs and opportunity for all Ohioans.
I was proud to cosponsor Senate Bill 264 earlier this year to enact
this one-time sales tax holiday. I hope your family takes advantage of
this opportunity and please be sure to share the news with your friends
and family members who have school-age children.
The Ohio Sales Tax Holiday is designed to allow your family to stretch
a dollar further during this important time of year. Widely hailed as
successful in its inaugural effort last year, I look forward to Ohioans
being able to keep more of their hard-earned money again this August.
To learn more about Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday and for a complete list of
eligible items, visit http://www.tax.ohio.gov/sales_and_use/salestaxholiday/holidayfaq.aspx.
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