Virginia Sales Tax Holiday for Back to School, 8/5-8/7/11

If you live in Fairfax County, it seems early to be thinking about back-to-school--since the kids don't go back until the day after Labor Day--but the State is incenting you to get your shopping done!

This weekend, Friday, 8/5/11, thru Sunday, 8/7/11, Virginia is lifting tax requirements on qualifying school supplies selling for $20 or less per item, and purchases of qualifying clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item. Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period, but they are responsible for paying the tax on those items to the Department of Taxation.

So get out and stock up on notebooks and highlighters, crayons and sketchbooks. Most elementary schools have their lists either on-line or available at some of the major retailers. It is a little trickier as the children get older, since supplies are often announced on the first day of classes. I have found, however, you can't go wrong with spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, graph paper, poster-board and loose-leaf paper. This will get you ready for school and limit the amount of stuff you will have to buy after the first day of school.

For most parents, the start of school is bittersweet; the children need more structure, but the lazy days and vacations have been kind of nice for us all. That said, one of my favorite advertising campaigns EVER is Staples Back-to-School television ad featuring Andy Williams' song It's the Most Wonderful Time. I have included a video below. ENJOY and good luck with your back-to-school shopping!