Maryland Sales Tax Holiday Week 2019: Full List Of What's Exempt

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Grab your list of all the clothes, shoes, backpacks and other supplies your kids need for the start of the school year, because Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week starts on Sunday, Aug. 11. Along with sales tax waived on everything from jeans and shorts to shoes and dresses, along with diapers and baby clothes, part of the cost of a backpack is also tax-free during the week.

This year's Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week runs from Sunday, Aug. 11, through Saturday, Aug. 17, says the Maryland comptroller's office. That means qualifying clothing and footwear sold for $100 or less, per item, is exempt from the 6 percent state sales tax. Accessory items are not included, with the exception of backpacks, a staple of student life; the first $40 toward the purchase price of a backpack or bookbag is also tax-free.

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

Even though the Maryland tax holiday falls during the back-to-school rush, there are some school-related items that aren’t included in the list of exempt purchases. The folks at Offers.com suggest parents make the most of tax-free shopping by remembering a few tips:

• Steer clear of taxable lunchboxes, textbooks and school supplies, unless they’re on sale. Focus your spending on non-taxable clothing and shoes instead.
• Stock up on diapers and baby clothes now, if you need them — you’re going to use them later.
• No rainchecks accepted — if you buy an item after tax-free week using a raincheck, you’ll still owe tax on that item.
• Shop for the whole family. Though it’s a great time to pick up fall and winter items for the kids, the tax holiday also extends to adults.

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

Other items on many back-to-school shopping lists — sports cleats, baseball and lacrosse gloves, and football and lacrosse shoulder pads — all remain taxable that week.

The comptroller and the Maryland Retailers Association are promoting a social media contest with two scholarships worth $2,500 and $1,000, respectively, will be given to any Maryland university, college or trade school. The University System of Maryland Foundation said Sunday that it will match the $2,500 top prize provided by the Maryland Retailers Association if the winner attends a member institution, meaning a total prize of $5,000 is available.

To enter the contest during Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, Maryland students must:

• Take a fun photo or video while shopping.
• Write a catchy caption. (Be creative to catch the eye of the judges!)
• Post to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtag #shopmdtaxfree.

Shoppers can like or follow the official social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information. MRA, which is providing the scholarships, will select the two entries that best reflect the spirit of Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week.

“Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is a great opportunity for parents to get deals on back-to-school clothes and for anyone to refresh a tired wardrobe,” Comptroller Peter Franchot said in a news release. “And with the scholarship contest, two creative students have an opportunity to save on school costs simply by taking a fun photo or video while shopping, write a snappy caption and post it on the official social media pages."

For more information, call 800-MD-TAXES, (410) 260-7980 from central Maryland, e-mail shopmaryland@comp.state.md.us, or visit the comptroller's website to read the full list.

Courtesy Maryland Comptroller's Office