Tax-free shopping underway in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As back-to-school shopping ramps up, parents are getting supplies for a bit cheaper than normal during Ohio’s annual sales tax holiday.
Until Aug. 14, most items $500 or less are tax free.
Whether it's back-to-school gear, dorm room furniture, a new TV or pet food, it’s all discounted during the tax holiday.
“Totally been planning for it all week,” Tasha O’Neill said.
At the Target on Sawmill Road in Dublin, many parents and kids were already out on the first day of the sales tax holiday hoping to get first pick of the school supplies.
Teachers were also shopping, wanting to get their classroom ready ahead of the first day of school.
“As a teacher, I really like the back to school stuff being tax free,” Allissa Fankhauser said. “Anything I can provide for the students that they don't have to get and I can save my own money as well. Just stocking up on anything.”
Danielle Siegrist, the store director at the Sawmill Target, said a majority of their products are under the $500 mark.
“They have more time to actually get what they want and we're not cramming it all into one weekend. So the fact that they have the options to shop over the next 14 days, it's just better all around,” Siegrist said.
In Franklin County, local and state sales tax totals 8%. It’s a decent discount and people are excited.
“It’s enough. It’s enough to get you out here and trying to find some stuff on sale or using that tax free,” Owen Fankhauser said.
The tax holiday lasts two weeks this year, which is the longest ever.
Shoppers who were out on Friday, the first day of the holiday, said they wanted to hit their favorite stores before it gets too busy this weekend.
“Definitely come early in the morning and at the beginning of the weekend so it’s not all picked over,” Riley O’Neill said.
The tax breaks lasts from Aug. 1 through Aug. 14.
While the sales tax holiday was designed to help parents at back-to-school time, the benefits are available to everyone.
The only exceptions to the tax break are things like alcohol, tobacco and marijuana.