Last Day of Maryland Sales Tax-Free Shopping 2016: What Qualifies?

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Saturday is the last day parents have to save money on everything from jeans and shorts to shoes and dresses during Maryland's sales tax holiday for school supplies and clothing.

This year's Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week ends Aug. 20, says the Maryland comptroller's office. That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less, per item, are exempt from the 6 percent state sales tax.
Accessory items are not included.

The state has a detailed list of what is taxable and what is exempt from Maryland’s sales tax that week. (See full list at bottom of story.)

While school uniforms, shirts, shoes, flip-flops and underwear are tax exempt, you might be surprised that pajamas, cloth diapers and bathrobes are also exempt that week. Many medical items such as adult diapers and braces are exempt, along with golf clothes, martial arts uniforms and sports uniforms.

But items on many back-to-school shopping lists — sports cleats, baseball and lacrosse gloves, bookbags and backpacks — all remain taxable that week.

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Online purchases may qualify if purchased and delivered by Aug. 20.

According to the state comptroller, the Maryland legislature established the tax-free week as an annual observance from the second Sunday of the month to the subsequent Saturday.

For more information, call 800-MD-TAXES or e-mail shopmaryland@comp.state.md.us.

MD sales tax week by Deb Eatock Belt on Scribd