Ohio’s sales tax holiday kicks off Friday: Here’s what’s covered

Download the FREE FOX19 NOW news app for iPhone

Download the FREE FOX19 NOW news app for Android

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Ohio’s annual sales tax holiday begins at midnight Friday and runs through Sunday at midnight.

This year’s exemption applies to clothing priced at $75 or less and school supplies or instructional materials under $20.

Unlike last year’s 10-day holiday, this year’s event spans just three days.

The expanded exemption that previously covered items $500 and under also will not return this year.

However, key back-to-school categories are still covered.

Back to School: Everything you need to know

What’s covered, what isn’t

Matt Goans, a GM coach at Walmart, said families are already heading to stores in search of deals ahead of the back-to-school season.

“Families are making their way to Walmart looking for deals as students head back to class — and Walmart tells me they are putting the demands of shoppers first,” Goans said.

Items such as electronics are not covered under the state exemption. Goans said Walmart’s rollback pricing will continue beyond the weekend to help parents offset those costs.

“Last year, the tax holiday was ten days. This year, it’s just three days. But we want to keep in mind, beyond this sales tax holiday, we have rollbacks and everyday low prices,” Goans said.

Rollbacks starting at 25 cents

Goans said Walmart’s rollback deals on back-to-school essentials are among the lowest the retailer has offered since 2019.

“Walmart has some of the lowest rollbacks since 2019. We have them starting at 25 cents on your everyday back-to-school essentials. Pens, pencils, markers, crayons... we have everything you need for every budget,” Goans said.

Watch more FOX19 NOW videos:

Parents and students weigh in

Rachel Kozuszek, a local parent of three, said she plans to take advantage of both the tax holiday and in-store discounts.

“Coming here, I feel like you have a lot of options for pricing. And actually, their clothes are great — we’re super impressed with the clothing department for the kids... I do have to be careful about what I spend. I have three, so it does mean something to me, absolutely,” Kozuszek said.

Younger shoppers are also using the weekend to stock up on classroom supplies and clothing ahead of the new school year.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.