Tax Free Holidays - Benefit if You Can

For those that are lucky enough to live in one of the 14 states or Washington, D.C. that have "Tax-Free Holidays" in the month of August, use it if you can. For the most part, the tax-free holiday is geared towards back-to-school items such as school supplies, clothes, shoes, and computers.

Three states (Georgia, Virginia, and West Virginia) have also started having "Tax-Free Holidays" to promote efficient appliances. This would be a great time to replace those appliances, water heaters, etc. that you were going to change out anyway.

With both of these events, the added benefit is that the stores are usually running all sorts of promotions to get you to buy these items. From sales to no interest financing, make sure you try to take advantage of these breaks when you can.

To make it easier for you, we have made the following list to help you know what you may be eligible to receive:

• Alabama - Aug. 1-3 - 4% Savings
  
  • Books worth $30 or less. School supplies worth $50 or less. Clothing worth $100 or less. A single purchase of a computer, software and/or computer accessories with a combined value of $750 or less.
  
  
• Connecticut - Aug. 17-23 - 6% Savings
  
  • Clothing and footwear worth $300 or less.
  
  
• Georgia - July 31-Aug. 3 - 4% Savings
  
  • School supplies worth $20 or less. Clothing and footwear worth $100 or less. A single purchase of a computer, software and/or computer accessories with a combined value of $1,500 or less.
  
  
• Georgia - Oct. 2-5 - 4% Savings
  
  • Energy-efficient and water-saving products worth $1,500 or less.
  
  
• Iowa - Aug. 1-2 - 5% Savings
  
  • Clothing worth $100 or less.
  
  
• Louisiana - Aug. 1-2 - 4% Savings
  
  • All "tangible personal property" -- except vehicles, meals and services -- worth $2,500 or less.
    
  
  
• Massachusetts - Aug. 16-17 - 5% Savings
  
  • Personal Items - sales of telecommunications services, tobacco products, gas, steam, electricity, motor vehicles, motorboats, meals and items priced over $2,500 are exempt from the holiday and remain subject to the sales tax.
  
  
• Missouri - Aug. 1-3 - 4.23% Savings
  
  • School supplies worth $50 or less. Clothing worth $100 or less. Computers, software and computer accessories worth $3,500 or less.
  
  
• New Mexico - Aug. 1-3 - 5% Savings
  
  • School supplies worth $15 or less. Clothing worth $100 or less. A single purchase of a computer, software and/or computer accessories with a combined value of $1,000 or less.
  
  
• North Carolina - Aug. 1-3 - 4.25% Savings
  
  • Sports and recreational equipment worth $50 or less. School supplies and clothing worth $100 or less. Software, computer accessories and other computer supplies worth $250 or less. Computers worth $3,500 or less.
  
  
• Oklahoma - Aug. 1-3 - 4.50% Savings
  
  • Clothing worth $100 or less.
  
  
• South Carolina - Aug. 1-3 - 6% Savings
  
  • Purchases of any price in specific categories, including clothing, footwear, accessories, school supplies, computers, software, computer accessories, bed linens, bath towels and pillows.
  
  
• Tennessee - Aug. 1-3 - 7% Savings
  
  • Clothing and school supplies worth $100 or less. A single purchase of a computer, software and/or computer accessories with a combined value of $1,500 or less.
  
  
• Texas - Aug. 15-17 - 6.25% Savings
  
  • Clothing and backpacks worth $100 or less.
  
  
• Virginia - Aug. 1-3 - 4% Savings
  
  • School supplies worth $20 or less. Clothing worth $100 or less.
  
  
• Virginia - Oct. 10-13 - 4% Savings
  
  • Energy-efficient products worth $2,500 or less.
  
  
• Washington, D.C. - Aug. 2-10 - 6% Savings
  
  • Clothing and school supplies worth $100 or less.
  
  
• Washington, D.C. - Nov. 21-Dec. 2 - 6% Savings
  
  • Clothing worth $100 or less.
  
  
• West Virginia - Sept. 1-7 - 6% Savings
  
  • Energy-efficient products worth $2,500 or less.