Tax Free Weekend Options for Virginia Residents

August brings many tax free weekend options for Virginia residents, including Virginia's own tax free weekend August 6-8. Virginians close to North Carolina or Maryland can also cash in by planning their back to school shopping needs according what other states are offering as tax free eligible items. For some, it may be worth a trip across state lines to save big since the potential to save more by shopping outside of Virginia during the tax free periods exists.

North Carolina's Tax Free Weekend 2010 - August 6-8, 2010

North Carolina's tax free weekend runs concurrent with Virginia's tax free weekend. However, there are more items that are tax free in North Carolina, including computers retailing for $3,500 and under and computer printers costing $250 or less. North Carolina's list also includes more clothing items, including some outdoors and sporting equipment that Virginia specifically does not include in its list.

The largest difference between both lists is the values placed on school supplies. Virginia will exempt the tax on school supplies costing $20 or less, whereas North Carolina won't tax eligible school supplies valued at $100 or less. For some supplies that cost more than $20, Virginians close to the NC border might want to cross over to avoid the tax.

Maryland's Tax Free Week 2010 - August 8-14, 2010

Maryland may just be getting some business from Virginians living close to the state line. From August 8 through 14 - a whole week - Maryland will offer many items for purchase sans sales tax during Maryland's tax free week.

As Carol Bengle Gilbert reported, in addition to snagging customary school supplies, there are other items that week that will be sales tax free, including diapers, bowling shoes and wedding gowns (if you are lucky to find one costing $100 or less!) Even work uniforms qualify under certain circumstances. Are you a consecrated religious? Clerical vestments are also eligible for tax free savings during Maryland's tax free week.

Maryland's tax free week eligible clothing and supply list is conveniently alphabetized, making it easy to glance over for eligible items.

Tax Free Weekend Shopping Advice

To get the most tax savings, review the full list of eligible items for all states to determine whether or not a trip to North Carolina or Maryland is worth the cost. Above all, make a point to shop for school supplies and other items when they will be tax free because pennies add up and any tax savings means more purchasing power for your dollars.

Sources:

For a list of North Carolina's eligible items, click here.

For a list of Virginia's eligible items, click here.

For a list of Maryland's eligible items, click here.