Weekend without tax in Ohio offers a break for shoppers back to school



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The Ohio-free weekend on school supplies begins Friday, offering savings consumers and local retail stores a chance to increase sales.

During the three-day, tax-free vacation, buyers do not have to pay taxes on clothing costing less than $ 75 per item and school supplies and instructional materials costing less than $ 20 per item $ per item. All Ohio stores – physical and online – are required to participate in the sales tax holiday.

"Sales tax is a win-win situation for families and businesses," said Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg. . "It offers a middle-class tax break for families who send their kids to school." It provides a spike for retailers who may be struggling, competing with online retailers in this regard. This gives them a peak in August, which is usually a slow time. "

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Melissa Gallagher, a fourth grade teacher at Orchard Park Elementary School, said she easily spends at least $ 100 out of pocket to buy school supplies.

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Many teachers end up filling their classrooms with the same school supplies that they place on their students' supply lists because they usually end up halfway through their school year. year, she says. But with school start dates coming up earlier each year, including some schools in the region starting as early as August 6, the Kettering City Schools teacher said the holidays did not leave him alone. did not help as much as possible. is a spring test, "said Gallagher." The sooner we get to school, the more we have to teach. "

The move of at least a week or two would help parents and teachers because many can not wait for the first weekend of August, said Gallagher.

Most local stores started rolling out merchandise back to school the week after July 4 But if parents and teachers plan to shop during the tax free weekend, local store managers recommend going early Friday.

"Struck the first day", has said Mike Burkhart, Meijer's store manager at 5858 N. Springboro Pike Moraine "Get what you need because hot items will go fast.

Friday before 5 pm, when many parents will stop working, this will be the best time to shop if they try to avoid the crowds, but Saturday will be "wall to wall". Raheem Muahmmad-Terrell, Head of the Targeting Executive Team at 2490 N. Fairfield Road in Beavercreek

But shoppers who plan to shop on Saturday or Sunday will still find deals, said Ashley Phillips, director of Walmart store at 8800 Kingsridge. Driving to Centerville

"Start early in the morning, that is when we will have the widest assortment and then we will restock it every night," Phillips said.

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According to Gordon Gough, President and CEO of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, retailers see a 5 to 9 per cent increase in their sales during the tax-free weekend that began in 2015 in the United States. l & # 39; Ohio. . John Kasich signed a bill that made a free tax holiday a permanent law earlier this year.

"We have data from the last two years that show that there is a big spike over the weekend," Antani said. "We would like to create a" Black Friday "event in August."

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Although vacations save consumers money, they cost the government a lot of money. According to an analysis of the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, this year's holidays are expected to reduce state sales and tax revenues by $ 15.2 million and result in a loss of 3.7 million for counties and transportation companies. the impact on tax revenues for the state, but the state will also see an indirect economic impact that helps offset this tax revenue impact, "said Chris Kershner, executive vice president of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Consumers should offset tax losses, with the increase in trips to restaurants, gas stations and other places where consumers can spend money when they do their shopping during the weekend. This includes cross-border activities.

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Antani said that it is likely that Ohio will see neighbors shopping in the West because Indiana does not offer a holiday free of charge. ;tax. On the other side of the state, Kershner said the weekend helps maintain some sales in Ohio, since neighboring Pennsylvania does not tax most clothes or textbooks all over the country. Year

Most importantly, it is extremely important that we work with our government leaders and our companies to establish public / private partnerships to encourage support for our local retail establishments, " said Kershner

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