OHIO, USA — Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a story published in August of 2020.
Ohio's tax-free weekend kicks off just in time for back-to-school shopping.
The holiday runs from Friday, Aug. 6 at 12 a.m. to Sunday, Aug. 8 at 12 a.m.
Northeast Ohio students will be back-to-school in less than a month, which means a lot of shopping is underway to prep them for the classroom.
“I have three kids, two are school-aged,” mom of three, Lindsey Vassallo said.
Prepping for a school year back in the classroom for a fourth-grader and a first grader comes with a loaded to-do list, Vassallo told 3News.
“We definitely buy new shoes every year; definitely clothes, they grow like weeds,” Vasallo said. “They need a lot of supplies, multiples of everything.”
The long list can add up quickly at the register, costing families big bucks.
“Up to $500, easily for just two kids,” Vasallo said.
Ohio's tax-free weekend is your chance to save. Three full days of tax-free shopping starts Friday morning as soon as stores open.
“2020 was a record and now 2021 is looking to be the same,” consumer expert Trae Bodge said.
According to the National Retail Federation, shopping is already hitting news records.
- Shopping for grades Kindergarten through 12 is up 7.5 percent.
- Shopping for college students is up 13 percent.
“You can save on typically items that are $100 or less,” Bodge said.
Plan to score deals on those essentials during tax-free weekend, such as clothing, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies.
According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, during the holiday, the following items are exempt from sales and use tax:
- An item of clothing priced at $75 or less.
- An item of school supplies priced at $20 or less
- An item of school instructional material priced at $20 or less.
Items used in a trade or business are not exempt under the sales tax holiday.
If you’re looking for something specific, Bodge recommends hitting the stores early.
“Retailers are anticipating running out of supplies in general,” Bodge said.
It’s a sweet save, knowing you can save 5.57 percent at the register.
For example, on a $500 bill, you save nearly $30 at the register this weekend, but the savings can get even better.
“You can combine that with other sales,” Bodge said.
It’ll likely be busy at stores this weekend; many will be taking advantage of the deals.
Be sure to pack your patience and your credit card.