ANNAPOLIS — Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is underway and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 17.
That means shoppers will not pay Maryland’s 6% sales tax on clothing and shoes under $100 or the first $40 for backpack sales.
According to a news release from the office of Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, the annual sales tax holiday begins the second Sunday in August and coincides with the time many Maryland families shop for items ahead of the new school year.
Now through Aug. 17, any single qualifying article of clothing or footwear priced at $100 or less will be exempt from sales tax — regardless of the number of items purchased.
For example, two $60 sweaters sold at the same time are both exempt, even though the total purchase price is more than $100.
Layaway purchases also qualify.
If a customer begins a layaway agreement during Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, any eligible items placed on layaway during that time will qualify for the exemption.
For example, if a customer places 10 qualifying items on layaway during Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week, but completes the layaway and received the merchandise after the period ended, the total purchase is exempt from tax.
For online purchases, items qualify for the sales tax exemption if they are paid for and delivered or paid for and accepted for immediate shipment during the tax-free period.