Tax-free weekend in Arkansas will be here soon and just in time for back-to-school shopping! Planning ahead to take advantage of the sales and tax-free weekend can save your hard-earned money, whether you have students or not.
The tax-free key is to purchase only what you need, purchase qualifying items, and not overspend. Here's what you need to know about tax-free weekend and some shopping tips for benefiting from the sales without spending too much.
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, the state of Arkansas will hold its sales tax holiday. Shoppers can purchase certain electronic devices, school supplies, school art supplies, school instructional materials, and clothing free of state and local sales or use tax.
All retailers carrying merchandise eligible for the holiday exemption are required to participate. Included in the sale are individual clothing and footwear items less than $100, clothing accessories and equipment less than $50 per item, and most school supplies and electronic devices used to study. Cosmetics and jewelry are on the list but must be less than $50 per item. See a complete list of all the eligible products and the rules that apply at:
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Keep in mind the price limits for items and pay attention to the wording of sales and coupons. The total cost of your purchase can be over the dollar limits of qualifying items, it is the cost of each individual item or unit (such as a pair of shoes) that must be under the limit to qualify. Also, if you find a buy one, get one free or reduced, the total price of the items advertised cannot be averaged to qualify both items for the holiday.
Retailers may offer store discounts or coupons to reduce the selling price of an eligible item, but manufacturer's discount coupons or rebates do not reduce the price of the item. Online orders of qualifying products count, but they must be shipped to an Arkansas address and be accepted by the seller during the sale dates.
Try these five shopping tips before you hit the stores:
Take an inventory of all school supplies, equipment, and clothing for each child.
Create a list of all items needed.
Prioritize classroom needs over clothes to make sure your child has what is necessary for each class.
Form a spending plan and your limits based on your list.
Discuss your budget and list with your kids before heading to the stores so they will know what to expect and can make informed choices.
Stick to your budget to purchase all needed items first and only purchase the impulse items if you have money left over!
For more ways to save and take advantage of sales and the tax-free holiday, contact the Garland County Extension Service at 501-623-6841 or email [email protected].