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.

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.

Locally, Kohl's on Solomons Island Road 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, said Banner.

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 of Maryland'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. 12-18, 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 Severna Park in the comments.