Virginia’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Returns August 2-4

Here is a good reminder. The following is a release from the McDonnell Administration:

It’s the end of July, and you’ve still got a whole month left to play in the pool, grill outdoors, and visit Virginia’s beautiful state parks with your kids. Back-to-school shopping might be the last thing on your mind at the moment. You may want to slip your flip-flops back on and hit the stores, however, because it’s time once again for Virginia’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday.


This year’s holiday begins on Friday, Aug. 2, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 4. Items that will be exempt from sales tax during the holiday include most articles of clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less each, and school or office supplies that cost $20 or less per item. There is no limit to the number of items you can purchase without paying the sales tax, provided each item meets the holiday restrictions.


“After four straight years of revenue surpluses, it is evident that Virginia’s economy continues to strengthen,” said Governor Bob McDonnell. “I hope Virginians will go out and take advantage of this holiday by spending their back-to-school dollars at Virginia retailers. Not only will this continue to benefit our state’s economy and employers, it will save Virginians some money at the same time.”


A list of qualifying items, guidelines for the holiday, and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Virginia Department of Taxation’s website at www.tax.virginia.gov. Anyone can buy tax-exempt items during the holiday; it is not limited to purchases for students. During the tax holidays, retailers may elect to pay the sales tax themselves on any non-qualifying items that they want to offer tax-free to customers. This means great deals can likely be found on many other items as well.