Families save on back-to-school

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Back-to-school shopping can be tough on families, as you try to stretch every dollar as far as it can go.

Clothing, books, pens, notepads … it all really starts to add up.

In the Ohio Senate, we know that Ohio’s families could use some help, and we are committed to easing the burdens that government adds to the mix. That is why, for the third year in a row, the General Assembly has passed the Ohio Sales Tax Holiday to assist parents during the back-to-school shopping season.

Two years ago we enacted Ohio’s first Sales Tax Holiday – a pilot project to see how Ohio would respond to the tax-free weekend. That was a success, as Ohioans saved millions of dollars and retailers saw a significant boost in sales.

We renewed that program in 2016 and Ohio families were once again able to save money while buying necessities.

This year, I co-sponsored Senate Bill 9 to renew the Sales Tax Holiday for 2017. Beginning Friday, Aug. 4 and running through Sunday, Aug. 6, families can take advantage of this unique tax-free weekend when purchasing select items.

But the benefits don’t stop there – over the past two years retailers have offered additional discounts to coincide with the tax holiday weekend. Both shoppers and retailers can once again benefit from this savings opportunity.

All shoes and clothing priced less than $75 will be exempt from state and local sales and use taxes during this period. School supplies and instructional materials priced at $20 or less will also be tax exempt. Even online vendors will be more affordable, as they will waive local and state sales taxes on designated items during the three-day tax holiday.

Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled to provide optimal savings for parents, families and educators at a time when families must stretch their dollars. This temporary relief from the sales tax is meant to ease the burden for families and ensure that students have the items necessary to succeed in the classroom.

Ohioans saved millions of dollars on back-to-school items during the prior Sales Tax Holidays, and stores saw significant boosts in statewide retail sales. Counties located along state lines fared even better.

This is a win-win for families, businesses and most importantly, students. I was proud to support this initiative, which will help families keep more of their hard earned money.

For more information about Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday, including specifics on which items qualify for savings, please visit the Ohio Department of Taxation’s website at http://www.tax.ohio.gov/sales_and_use/SalesTaxHoliday.aspx.

And as always, if you have any questions about the Sales Tax Holiday or any other issue, please feel free to contact me. You can reach me at [email protected] or by calling my office at (614) 466-8156.

Senator Bob Peterson represents the 17th District in the Ohio Senate, which encompasses all or part of Clinton, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pickaway, Pike, Ross and Vinton counties.

Official portrait of Ohio State Senator Bob Peterson, District 17, 130th General Assembly of the Ohio Senate photographed April 24, 2013 at the Ohio Statehouse. ( James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

To download image: Hover over photo and use the pop-up menu to save to your downloads folder.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/07/web1_Bob-Peterson.jpgOfficial portrait of Ohio State Senator Bob Peterson, District 17, 130th General Assembly of the Ohio Senate photographed April 24, 2013 at the Ohio Statehouse. ( James D. DeCamp | http://www.JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

To download image: Hover over photo and use the pop-up menu to save to your downloads folder.

Bob Peterson

State Senator

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