Over the weekend we came face to face with hundreds, if not thousands, of raving mad parents and students gearing up for back to school at our local big box retailer. Little did we know, it was a sales tax free holiday! Although saving a few pennies in tax on a pack of pencils seems silly, it can save you hundreds of dollars when it comes to larger electronics. Do you partake? Or watch from the sidelines?
Tax free holidays didn't exists when we were in school. Craigslist didn't exist for that matter either. Or Netflix. How on EARTH did we ever survive.
Had we have had the opportunity to purchase large items tax free, there's a good chance we could have put some part of that discount to use. We might not have needed a new computer each year, but other smaller things like hard drives or printers could have come in handy.
Do you head out to the stores for tax free deals? Or just wait for a better sale price online a few weeks down the road? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
(Image: Flickr Member tom.arthur licensed for use under Creative Commons)
when are there tax free holidays?!
i've never heard of that other than the year i lived in Oregon where they don't charge sales tax. If there was such a thing, I'd most likely buy a new MBP (not that there's anything wrong with my current one). combining the student discount with no sales tax would save me about $500.
view Matt. M's profile
Not all states have tax free holidays.
view ShellyIN's profile
In today's economy, every bit helps. I've seen these tax free days (usually a weekend) several times but not that often. Unfortunately, it's never been when I was in the market to buy a new computer so I haven't taken advantage of it yet.
view modernguy's profile
north carolina just had 1. It's only 7% saving but I think it sends a good message to "the man" to wait to buy lots of stuff until you don't have to pay tax on it.
view emptyapartment's profile
... and not all states have sales tax. :)
view poweredbytofu's profile
I'm guessing CA doesn't have one of these days then, huh? And if it does, when is it?!
view Matt. M's profile
Texas has had Tax free weekend since I think 2000? I remember being in junior high and everyone going crazy at the malls. In Texas its only:
"Clothing and footwear under $100
Includes backpacks under $100 for elementary and secondary students
Includes layaway items"
Tax free weekend is August 21st here.
I wish electronics counted :(
view witchbaby's profile
FL isn't doing one this year.
view ObliterateWasteNow's profile