MARYLAND — The last day of Maryland’s Tax-Free Shopping Week is Saturday, Aug. 17. During this time, shoppers can save on numerous items, making this the ideal time to shop for school supplies and other essential purchases.

RetailMeNot shoppers have shared some tips on how to save even more this weekend.

The sales tax holiday is designed to help families save money on school supplies such as school supplies, clothing, shoes, backpacks and more — and increase sales at Maryland retailers. During the holiday, the state’s 6 percent sales tax on clothing and shoes under $100, or the first $40 for backpacks, will be suspended.

Although generally associated with back-to-school shopping, the tax-free savings apply to shoppers of all ages and include sweaters, shirts, pants, jeans, dresses, robes, underwear, belts, shoes and boots.

According to a survey by RetailMeNot, product prices are the biggest stress factor for shoppers this season, so tax holidays are a great way to save on essentials for kids and students going back to school.

The shopping site offers some tips on how to get the most for your money in stores.

Saving tips for the start of school

• Combine sales with other discounts – Take advantage of back-to-school specials by downloading cashback browser extensions like RetailMeNot’s Deal Finder to find and automatically apply the best coupons in addition to cashback offers every time you shop at top stores.
• Join your favorite retailer’s rewards program – Some retailers reserve their best discounts for their rewards members. Target, for example, gives college students 20% off a purchase (as long as they sign up for the free Circle rewards program), and Amazon often offers Prime members exclusive discounts on school supplies.
• Take advantage of trade-in programs – Many major brands now offer trade-in programs that give you a discount or credit in exchange for used items. If your kids have outgrown their clothes, you may be able to get credit for the clothes they grew out of in the last year. And when it comes to tech, everyone from Apple to Samsung offers credits for trade-ins.

Tax-free week in Maryland

The categories exempt from tax include, among others, the following items:

• Clothing and shoes: All qualified clothing items priced at $100 or less per piece are tax-free. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, coats, hats and more.
• The first $40 of a backpack: If you have your eye on a backpack that costs more than $40, don’t worry! The first $40 of a backpack’s purchase price is exempt from sales tax, allowing you to save on both fashion and functionality.

What is not included in Maryland’s tax-free week?

Here are some items that do not qualify:

• Accessories: While clothing is covered by the tax exemption, accessories such as jewelry, handbags and watches are not.
• Protective equipment: While clothing and shoes are tax-free, there is no VAT exemption for special protective equipment such as sports or safety equipment.
• School supplies: Consumables such as markers, folders and binders are not included in Maryland’s tax-free week.

For more details on items exempt from state sales tax, see the full list here.

For more information about Maryland’s Tax Free Week, check out RetailMeNot’s complete guide.

Related: MD Tax-Free Shopping Week 2024: Dates, Savings, Eligible Items