NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland — Shoppers can now take advantage of Maryland’s annual sales tax holiday, which lasts through Saturday, August 17.
The Shop Maryland Tax-Free week, which began Sunday, suspends the 6 percent sales tax on clothing and shoes that cost $100 or less each. The first $40 of a backpack is also tax-free.
“Maryland’s Tax-Free Shopping Week is a great opportunity for shoppers to save money on essential items and protect their budgets, especially as we continue to struggle with rising prices and consumers feeling like they are paying more for less,” Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said in a press release. “I hope this temporary relief helps boost customer traffic and sales for our local businesses, as well as the purchasing power of Maryland shoppers.”
The Bureau of Revenue Estimates projects that the state will lose about $6.6 million in revenue this year during the Shop Maryland Tax-Free rule. Last year, the expected revenue loss was $6.5 million, according to the comptroller’s office.
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At Tanger Outlets in National Harbor, this sales tax-free day is one of the busiest weeks of the year, almost comparable to the holiday shopping season, says Carrie Masich, Tanger’s marketing director.
“It’s super exciting to be able to offer shoppers not only the great deals they always get at Tanger, but also this additional VAT reduction,” Masich told 7News.
“We’ve found some really great deals and I’m really grateful because every dollar counts,” said Heidi Gomez of Alexandria, who was shopping for school clothes for her three boys on Sunday. “Besides all the different school supplies we have to get and the extracurricular activities like soccer and music, this allows us to stretch our money and take advantage of all the different opportunities the city and area offers.”
Lisa Grollman of Charlotte Hall was looking for clothes for her two daughters.
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“We usually try to go to the outlets every year just before school starts to save a little money on back-to-school clothes,” Grollman said. “Every little bit helps these days.”
“We usually spend at least a couple hundred on each kid,” Grollman added. “They get $20, $30 back. I’ll take whatever I can get.”
Tax-Free Week in Maryland is often associated with back-to-school shopping, but all shoppers can benefit from savings on certain products.
