Savings Alert: Maryland's Tax-Free Week is Aug. 12-18

Budget conscious back-to-school shoppers can save an additional 6 percent on their apparel and shoe purchases during Shop Maryland week starting next Sunday and running through Aug. 18.

Comptroller Peter Franchot put out an interesting video on You Tube to publicize Tax-Free shopping week.

Qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less are exempt from the Maryland 6 percent sales tax during this week, according to the Comptroller of Maryland's website.

Accessory items—such as jewelry, watches, watchbands, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands and belt buckles—do not qualify, according to the Comptroller of Maryland's website.

The new Olympia Sports in Lakeshore Plaza may be a good place to pick up some casual school or athletic clothes. It also provides a selection of popular name brand shoes.

Or you can head over to department store in Severna Park, which is a popular place for back-to-school shopping. If customers spend $30, they will get $10 off. Those who spend $50 will get $10 in Kohl's cash to use at a future date, said Lindsey Banner, a management intern at the store.

There also will be other sales happening that week, so look for the fliers in the mail, Banner said.

If you can hold off on an appliance purchase, there will be a tax-free, three-day weekend on Feb. 16-18, 2013 for Energy Star products. The sales and use tax will not apply to your purchase during those days.

According to the comptroller's website, Energy Star products include air conditioners, clothes washers or dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, standard size refrigerators, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, or programmable thermostats.

These products have been designated as meeting or exceeding the applicable Energy Star Efficiency requirements developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

For a full list of taxable and tax-exempt items for the week of Aug. 12 through 18, see our attached PDF.

How do you plan to take advantage of the tax break? Tell us what deals you'll score and your favorite places to shop around Pasadena in the comments.

Pasadena Patch Editor Kaitlyn Carr contributed to this report.