Shoppers Ready to Stock Up and Save During Tax-Free Weekend

by Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard

Students and parents are preparing for the beginning of the school year, and since 2007 those preparations, for many, have included shopping on the statewide “tax-free weekend.” Beginning at 12:01am on Friday, August 2 and ending at midnight on Sunday, August 4, clothing and shoes that are priced under $100 will be exempt from sales tax in Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, eligible items include:

· 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, children and adult, including disposable diapers

· Ear muffs

· Footlets

· Formal wear

· Garters and garter belts

· Girdles

· Gloves and 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 and non-athletic

· Wedding apparel

However, the Tax Commission website also points out that “Any special clothing or footwear that is primarily designed for an athletic activity or protective use that is not normally worn except when used for the athletic activity or protective use for which it is designed” are not exempt from tax for the weekend. Accessories such as jewelry, handbags, luggage, and watches, as well as rental clothing and footwear, are also not included among items that will be tax-free.