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The Plan To Expand Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday

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Some kids are going back to school this week in Ohio along with items bought during the state’s annual sales tax holiday two weekends ago. Ohio is one of 16 states offering sales tax free weekends for back to school shopping. A state lawmaker is proposing a bill to make even more items tax free during that weekend next year. 

School supplies up to $20 and clothing up to $75 can be purchased during the sales-tax free weekend. Republican Rep. Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) wants to increase the spending limits for both to $100 per item. And he wants to add exemptions for much more expensive laptops and iPads.

“Technology is ever growing in importance in education, that students need these technologies in the classroom, so we wanted to make laptops and ipads included," Antani says.

Though some experts say sales tax free weekends cost states money and don’t bring big savings to customers, Antani says a study showed Ohioans saved more than $3 million in sales tax in 2015 and increased economic activity, especially from other states.

Copyright 2020 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.
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