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The Better Business Bureau Canton Region and Greater West Virginia recommends several tips to help consumers navigate back-to-school shopping while benefiting from Ohio's and West Virginia’s sales tax holiday. Ohio’s sales tax holiday begins at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, and will continue until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, August 8, 2024. West Virginia's sales tax holiday begins at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, August 2, 2024, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024.
Sales tax holidays are the ideal time to cross items off of back-to-school shopping lists without paying sales tax. According to the Ohio Department of Taxation and the West Virginia Tax Division, certain items are exempt, each with specific purchase price limits. Be sure to check their respective websites for the holiday’s terms and conditions.
To maximize back-to-school shopping this year, BBB recommends the following tips.
- Create a shopping list to help stay focused and avoid impulse purchases.
- Start with the most expensive items first to ensure you snag the item tax-free before it goes out of stock.
- Combine discounts by using coupons to maximize your savings. Both states clarify that if a retailer offers a discount to reduce the price of an item to less than then the threshold amount for the exemption, the item will qualify for the exemption.
- Shop online to avoid the crowds. In Ohio and West Virginia, qualified items sold online do qualify for the sales tax exemption, as long as the item is paid for and the retailer accepts the order during the exemption period.
- Do not be confused by advertising. Just because a store advertises a “Back-to-School Sale” doesn’t mean the items are tax-free; check the list of which items do not qualify for the exemption in Ohio and in West Virginia.
- Make smart and safe online purchases. Beware of impostor websites and fake ads created by scammers, and always use secure payment methods. Check BBB’s Online Shopping Hub for more online shopping tips.
- Use BBB.org as a trusted resource to research a company’s reviews and complaints. Purchase from BBB Accredited Businesses whenever possible to know that you are dealing with an honest and ethical business.
Consumers can find more tips and resources for all-things back-to-school at BBB.org/School.