It's almost time for the kids to go back to school, and that means it's about time for the Back To School Tax Free Weekend for 2019! This year, parents and students will be able to shop for most of their school supplies, tax free, on the weekend of August 3rd and 4th. The tax free shopping "holiday" will actually begin at 12:01am on Saturday, August 3rd and continue until 11:59pm on August 4th and that means that Arkansas will hold its sales tax, allowing shoppers to purchase school supplies and clothing at a discounted rate.
According to the Arkansas Dept. of Finance and Administration, "All retailers are required to participate and may not charge tax on items that are legally tax-exempt during the Sales Tax Holiday."
You can see the full list of what's covered for the sale below.
Clothing - Less Than $100.00 Per Item.
EXEMPT: Includes all human wearing apparel suitable for general use.
• 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, including disposables
• Earmuffs
• Footlets
• Formal wear
• Garters and garter belts
• Girdles
• Gloves & mittens for general use
• Hats and caps
• Hosiery
• Insoles for shoes
• Lab coats
• Neckties
• Overshoes
• Pantyhose
• Rainwear
• Rubber pants
• Sandals
• Scarves
• Shoes and shoe laces
• Slippers
• Sneakers
• Socks and stockings
• Steel toed shoes
• Underwear
• Uniforms, athletic & non-athletic
• Wedding apparel
Clothing Accessory or Equipment - Less Than $50.00 Per Item.
EXEMPT: Incidental item worn on the person or in conjunction with “clothing.”.
• Briefcases
• Cosmetics
• Hair notions, including barrettes, hair bows, & hair nets
• Handbags
• Handkerchiefs
School Supplies
• Jewelry
• Sun glasses, non-prescription
• Umbrellas
• Wallets
• Watches
• Wigs and hair pieces
EXEMPT: An item commonly used by a student in a course of study. Limited to items listed below.
• Binders
• Book bags
• Calculators
• Cellophane tape
• Blackboard chalk
• Compasses
• Composition books
• Crayons
• Glue, paste, and paste sticks
• Highlighters
• Index cards
• Index card boxes
• Legal pads
• Lunch boxes
• Markers
• Notebooks
• Paper - loose leaf ruled notebook, paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper
• Pencils
• Pens
• Protractors
• Erasers • Pencil boxes and other school • Rulers
• Folders - expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila supply boxes
• Pencil sharpeners
School Art Supply
• Scissors
• Writing tablets
EXEMPT: An item commonly used by a student in a course of study for artwork. Limited to items listed below.
• Clay and glazes
• Paints - acrylic, tempora, and oil
• Paintbrushes for artwork
• Sketch and drawing pads
• Watercolors
School Instructional Material
EXEMPT: Written material commonly used by a student in a course of study as a reference and to learn the subject being taught. Limited to items listed below.
• Reference books
• Reference maps and globes
• Textbooks
• Workbooks
Sewing Equipment and Supplies:
TAXABLE:
Protective Equipment: Sport or Recreational Equipment:
• Knitting Needles
• Patterns
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing Machines
• Sewing Needles
• Tape Measures
• Thimbles
• Buttons
• Fabric
• Lace
• Thread
• Yarn
• Zippers
• Breathing Masks
• Clean Room Apparel and Equipment
• Ear and Hearing Protectors
• Face Shields
• Hard Hats
• Helmets
• Paint or Dust Respirators
• Protective Gloves
• Safety Glasses and Goggles
• Safety Belts
• Tool Belts
• Welder’s Gloves and Masks
• Ballet and Tap Shoes
• Cleated or Spiked Athletic Shoes
• Gloves - baseball, bowling, boxing, hockey, and golf
• Goggles
• Hand and Elbow Guards
• Life Preservers and Vests
• Mouth Guards
• Roller and Ice Skates
• Shin Guards
• Shoulder Pads
• Ski Boots
• Waders
• Wetsuits and Fins
• Belt buckles sold separately
• Costume masks sold separately
• Patches and Emblems Sold Separately