Getting school supplies, tax free | News, Sports, Jobs

West Virginia will welcome repeat shoppers Friday at midnight through Monday 11:59 p.m., with a tax vacation on most commonly used school supplies.

State and local sales and use taxes are waived on clothing of $ 125 per item or less; School supplies priced at $ 50 each or less; and school teaching materials at a cost of $ 20 each or less. Laptops and tablet computers up to US $ 500 and sports equipment up to US $ 150 also qualify.

Goods that were purchased for commercial or commercial use are excluded from the VAT exemption.

For the sake of clarity, the West Virginia Tax Office defines school supplies as: folder; Book bags; Computer; Cellophane tape; Blackboard chalk; Compasses; Composition books; Colored pencils; Erasers; Folder (expandable, pocket, plastic and manila); Glue, paste and paste sticks; Highlighter; Index cards; Index card boxes; Notepads; Packed lunches; Markings; Notebooks; Paper; Loose-lined notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper; Pencil boxes and other boxes for school supplies; Pencil sharpener; Pencils; Pencils; Protractor; Rulers; Scissors; and writing boards.

In other words: school supplies.

Clothing, meanwhile, includes, but is not limited to, shirts; Blouses; Pullover; Trousers; shorts; the skirts; Clothes; Uniforms (athletic and non-athletic); Shoes and laces; Insoles for shoes; Sneakers; Sandals; Boots; Overshoes; Slippers; Steel toe shoes; Underwear; Socks and stockings; Hosiery; Pantyhose; Socks; Coats and jackets; Rainwear; General purpose gloves and mittens; Hats and caps; Earmuffs; Belts and suspenders; Neckties; Scarves; Aprons (household and business); Lab coats; athletic supporters; Bathing suits and caps; Beach capes and coats; Costumes; Baby blankets; Diapers, children and adults, including disposable diapers; Rubber pants; Garters and Garters; Belt; formal dress; and wedding dresses.

Online and telephone orders for qualifying items are also eligible as long as they are made within the specified time frame.

The idea is largely geared towards starting school. With many families relying on charitable causes to provide their children with the supplies they need most, it makes sense to take the pressure off those who can pay but whose budgets are tight at this time of year.

It should also give a little break to many school teachers who equip their classrooms out of their own pocket. According to the National Education Association Foundation and the Economic Policy Institute, more than 90 percent of public school teachers in the United States each spend about $ 460 out of their own pockets on school supplies with no refunds. It is $ 444 in Ohio, $ 333 in West Virginia, and $ 420 in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s three-day tax break weekend ends Sunday, and Ohio’s tax break lasts through August 8th.

Get the latest news and more in your inbox