Tax free weekend is coming your way and just in time for all of the back to school shopping as the fall semester quickly approaches.
Downtown Guthrie has all of the school clothes and supplies shopping needed for this autumn.
The Guthrie and Logan County communities are all set for Red Brick Nights this coming Saturday and this year, Oklahoma's annual sales tax holiday will be the same weekend. Tax free begins on Friday and ends at midnight on Sunday. Certain clothing and shoe purchases are exempt from sales tax for this time period only.
Specifically, the tax exempt sale includes any article of clothing or footwear designed to be worn on or about the human body and the sales price of the article is less than one hundred dollars. The state sales tax of 4.5%, as well as county and municipal taxes (which vary) will be waived the first weekend in August for Oklahoma shoppers.
According to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, “Clothing” means all human wearing apparel suitable for general use. This does not apply to the sale of any accessories, special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use that is not normally worn except when used for athletic activity or protective use, or to the rental of clothing or footwear. A nonexclusive list from the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s website of clothing that is exempt from sales and use taxes is as follows:
- Aprons, household and shop
- Athletic supporters
- Baby receiving blankets
- Bathing suits and caps
- Beach capes and coats
- Belts and suspenders
- Boots
- Coats and jackets
- Costumes
- Diapers, children and adult, including disposable diapers
- Earmuffs
- Footlets
- Formal wear
- Garters and garter belts
- Girdles
- Gloves and mittens for general use
- Hats and caps
- Hosiery
- Insoles for shoes
- Lab coats
- Neckties
- Overshoes
- Pantyhose
- Rainwear
- Rubber pants
- Sandals
- Scarves
- Shoes and shoelaces
- Slippers
- Sneakers
- Socks and stockings
- Steel toed shoes
- Underwear
- Uniforms, athletic and non-athletic
- Wedding apparel
Though this is an extensive list provided by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, it does vary store to store on specific items. So be sure to double check the exemption status of items just to make sure they are a part of the sale, as different retailers may have different rules in place.
Additionally, according to News Channel 4, raincheck items redeemed after the tax-free holiday are taxable. Raincheck items redeemed during the holiday qualify for the tax exemption.
If you buy something during the sales tax holiday and later exchange it for the same item, you won’t be charged tax even if the exchange is made after the sales tax holiday.
If you buy something during the weekend and return it after the holiday is over for store credit on a different item, sales tax applies to the sale of the newly purchased item, even if it would have been eligible for the exemption during the sales tax holiday. However, if you return it during the holiday and purchase a different eligible item, sales tax will not be applied.
You can use coupons and discounts during tax-free weekend. In fact, if the item is over $100 but a coupon or discount reduces the price to be under $100, sales tax will no longer be applied that weekend!*
*Manufacturer coupons are exempted from reducing an item’s price for the purpose of tax-free eligibility.
Historic downtown Guthrie has everything needed for a successful school year and a fashionable fall. Between the excellent food options and tons of shopping, Guthrie is perfect for a weekend afternoon shopping excursion, especially during the tax free holiday weekend.
Buy Local!