Sales tax holiday begins Saturday

As families across Arkansas prepare for the upcoming school year, the Arkansas House of Representatives is reminding residents to take advantage of the state’s annual Sales Tax Holiday — set for Saturday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 3.

This two-day event allows shoppers to purchase eligible items free of state and local sales tax. The tax break begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. Whether shopping in-store or online, this is an opportunity for families to save on important back-to-school purchases.

Under Act 757 of 2011, Arkansas holds a sales tax holiday on the first weekend of August each year. During this time, certain products are exempt from sales tax, including: • Clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item;

• Clothing accessories priced under $50 per item;

• School supplies;

• School art supplies; • School instructional materials;

•Electronic devices commonly used by students for academic purposes.

Online purchases also qualify for the exemption as long as the order is placed within the designated timeframe and includes eligible items.

All retailers — both brick-andmortar and online — are required to participate and may not charge tax on items that fall within the exemption guidelines.