If you’ve got shopping on your mind, then the weekend of August 6th - 8th is definitely the weekend for you!  That’s because it’s the annual “Tax Free Weekend” , beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 6th and lasting until midnight on Sunday, August 8th.  During that time you won’t have to pay municipal sales and use tax on certain items.  Those items include:  Clothing, Computers and school supplies.

1.  Clothing is defined as “all human wearing apparel suitable for general use, including sandals, shoes and sneakers.  Clothing items must cost $100 or less  per article of clothing.  Clothing does not include:  Belt buckles sold separately; costume masks sold separately; patches and emblems sold separately, sewing equipment and materials.

2.  Computers and computer software – There are some guidelines you should know about, though.  Tax exemption is good on a “single purchase” with a sales price of $750 or less.

3.  School Supplies – This is “any items of $50 or less per item commonly used by a student in a course of study.”  School supplies include things such as art supplies, reference materials, textbooks (official school book list) that are $30 or less per book.

Items not exempt during the “Tax Free Weekend”:

      Clothing accessories – defined as “incidental items worn on the person or in conjunction with “clothing”.  This includes:  briefcases, cosmetics, hair notions, handbags, jewelry, sun glasses (non prescription) umbrellas, wallets, watches wigs and hair piece

      Protective equipment – defined as “items for human wear and designed as protection of the wearer against injury or disease or as protections against damage or injury of other persons or property, but not suitable for general use.  This includes:  breathing masks, clean room apparel and equipment, ear and hearing protectors, face shields, hard hats, helmets, paint or dust respirators, protective gloves, safety glasses and goggles, safety belts, tool belts, and welder gloves and masks.

      Sport or recreational equipment – defined as “items designed for human use and worn in conjunction with an athletic or recreational activity that are not suitable for general use.”  These include:  ballet and tap shoes, cleated or spiked athletic shoes, sports gloves, hand and elbow guards, life preservers and vests, mouth guards, roller and ice skates, shin guards, shoulder pads, ski boots, waders and wetsuits and fins.