Maryland Sales Tax-Free Week 2014 Coming Soon

Maryland’s tax-free shopping week is only three weeks away, a sure sign that back-to-school prep time is near. Are you ready to hit the stores with the kids?

For those not in the know, the tax-free week means no state sales tax on all the essential clothing and footwear you might need for back-to-school.

Maryland's tax-free week begins Sunday, Aug. 10, and ends Saturday, Aug. 16, according to the state comptroller’s website. That means qualifying clothing and footwear that costs $100 or less, per item, is exempt from the state sales tax. Accessories are not included. 

The state has a detailed list online of what is taxable and what is exempt from Maryland’s sales tax that 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 that week.

Sadly, bookbags, backpacks and lacrosse gloves remain taxable that week.

Additionally, there is a tax-free three-day weekend every February during which the state sales tax is waived on the sale of Energy Star products or solar water heaters. The Shop Maryland Energy Tax-Free weekend for 2015 is Feb. 14-16.

Energy Star Product means an air conditioner, clothes washer or dryer, furnace, heat pump, standard size refrigerator, compact fluorescent light bulb, LED light bulbs, dehumidifier, or programmable thermostat that has been designated as meeting or exceeding the applicable Energy Star Efficiency requirements.

For more information, call (800) MD-TAXES or (410) 260-7980 from central Maryland, or e-mail shopmaryland@comp.state.md.us.