Nothing strikes fear into a child's heart like advertisements for back-to-school sales in midsummer. But it's not always heartwarming for parents, whose wallets can get hit hard.
Families with children plan to spend an average of $684.79 each on back-to-school shopping, according to a National Retail Federation survey. Some states give parents a break with summer sales tax holidays on school supplies, clothes and computers.
Here's when and where you can get your school shopping done tax-free.
Arkansas
When: Aug. 4 through 5
What's exempt from sales tax: Clothing and footwear (up to $100 per item); clothing accessories and equipment (up to $50 per item), school supplies and instructional materials.
Connecticut
When: Aug. 19 through 25
What's exempt: Clothing and footwear (up to $100 per item).
Florida
When: Aug. 3 through 5
What's exempt: School supplies (up to $15 per item); clothing, footwear and accessories (up to $60 per item).
Iowa
When: Aug. 3 through 4
What's exempt: Clothing and footwear (up to $100 per item).
Maryland
When: Aug. 12 through 18
What's exempt: Clothing and footwear (up to $100 per item); backpacks (up to $40 per item).
Missouri
When: Aug. 3 through 5
What's exempt: Clothing and footwear (up to $100 per item); school supplies (up to $50 per item); computer software (up to $350 per item); personal computers and peripheral devices (up to $1,500 per item); graphic calculators (up to $150 per item).
New Mexico
When: Aug. 3 through 5
**What's exempt: Clothing and footwear (up to $100 per item); personal computers (up to $1,000 per item); computer hardware (up to $500 per item); school supplies (up to $30 per item).
Ohio
When: Aug. 3 through 5
What's exempt: Clothing and footwear (up to $75 per item); school supplies and instructional materials (up to $20 per item).
Oklahoma
When: Aug. 3 through 5
What's exempt: Clothing and footwear (up to $100 per item).
South Carolina
When: Aug. 3 through 5
What's exempt: Clothing, footwear, school supplies, personal computers and peripheral devices, computer software and bedding. There are no price limits.
Texas
When: Aug. 10 through 12
What's exempt: Clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (up to $100 per item).
Virginia
When: Aug. 3 through 5
What's exempt: School supplies (up to $20 per item); clothing and footwear (up to $100 per item); portable generators (up to $1,000 per item); gas-powered chainsaws (up to $350 per item); chainsaw accessories (up to $60 per item); Energy Star or WaterSense (up to $2,500 per item).
Wisconsin
When: Aug. 1 through 5
What's exempt: Clothing, footwear and school supplies (up to $75 per item); personal computers (up to $750 per item); computer peripherals (up to $250 per item).
Looking to cut this season's expenses? Take advantage of these back-to-school freebies for families and teachers.
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