Sales tax holiday Aug. 4-5

The annual sales tax holiday for the state of Arkansas will run this year from Saturday, Aug. 4 at 12:01 a.m. to Sunday, Aug. 5 at 11:59 p.m. During this time, shoppers will be able to purchase school supplies at any area retailer free of both state and local sales taxes.

During this 48 hour period, taxes will not be collected on clothing and footwear if the sales price is less than $100 per item, clothing accessories and equipment if the sales price is less than $50 per item, school supplies, school art supplies, and school instructional materials. Following are some examples of items which would be tax exempt during this period:

Clothing:

Belts and suspenders

Boots

Coats and jackets

Diapers

Gloves and mittens

Hats and caps

Shoes and shoe laces

Sneakers

Socks and stockings

Clothing accessories:

Briefcases

Cosmetics

Hair accessories

Handbags

Jewelry

Sun glasses, non prescription

Umbrellas

Wallets

School supplies:

Binders

Bookbags

Calculators

Crayons

Folders

Glue

Index cards

Legal pads

Markers

Notebooks

Paper

Pencils

Pens

Rulers

Scissors

School art supplies:

Clay and glazes

Paints

Paintbrushes

Sketch and drawing pads

Watercolors

School instructional materials:

Reference books

Reference maps and globes

Textbooks

Workbooks

Items considered as sewing equipment and supplies, protective equipment, or sports and recreational equipment will still be taxable. For more, contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration at (501) 682-7104.

sharris@blythevillecourier.com