Last Day Of Maryland Sales Tax-Free Shopping Week 2017

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Parents statewide are likely grateful for the changes lawmakers enacted to improve Maryland's sales tax-free week for school supplies and clothing — this year, for the first time, the first $40 toward the cost of a backpack or bookbag purchase is also tax-free. And that may help ease the pain at the checkout register starting Sunday as parents stock up on back-to-school necessities.

This year's Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week runs from Sunday, Aug. 13, through Saturday, Aug. 19, says the Maryland comptroller's office. That means qualifying apparel like jeans, shorts, dresses 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 new exception of backpacks, a staple of student life.

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.) (Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts, or like us on Facebook. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

A new contest coinciding with Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week will give two winners $1,500 and $500 scholarships, respectively, to any Maryland university, college or trade school. Leading up to and during the tax-free week, shoppers should like or follow the official social media pages on Facebook (Shop Maryland Tax Free), Twitter (@shopmdtaxfree) and Instagram (@shopmdtaxfree).

Like the Annapolis Patch Facebook page below, then continue reading the story.

During the tax-free week take a picture while you're out on your shopping stock-up trip, write a creative caption, and use #the hashtag shopmdtaxfree to submit an entry on any or all of the social media platforms. After Aug. 19, the Maryland Retailers Association, which is providing the scholarships, will select the two entries that its leaders decide best reflect the spirit of Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, according to a news release.

What Qualifies In Tax-Free Week?

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 during the special week. Many medical items such as adult diapers and braces are exempt, along with golf clothes, martial arts uniforms and sports uniforms.

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

Online purchases may qualify if purchased and delivered by Aug. 19.

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, e-mail taxhelp@comp.state.md.us or visit the Comptroller’s Website at www.marylandtaxes.com.

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