As consumers prepare for Ohio’s sales-tax holiday and the upcoming school year, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is offering some tips for making sure that you benefit.
Ohio’s 2022 sales-tax holiday is set for Aug. 5 through Aug. 7.
When shopping, make sure you understand which items are eligible for the sales-tax exemption. Also, be sure to exercise good shopping practices, such as keeping your receipts and knowing the return policies for the stores where you shop.
The Ohio Department of Taxation has detailed information about the sales-tax holiday. For example, the following items are exempt from sales and use tax:
- Clothing priced at $75 per item or less
- School supplies priced at $20 per item or less
- School instructional materials priced at $20 per item or less
Smart shopping tips for consumers include:
- Plan ahead. Consider ahead of the tax holiday what kinds of purchases you want to make and review the Department of Taxation’s FAQs to understand what is and isn’t exempt. You should also research the reputations of retailers by reading customer reviews and checking for complaints on file with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Better Business Bureau.
- Understand return policies before you buy. In Ohio, sellers can set their own
return policies, including policies of “no returns,” but they must clearly tell you their policy before you check out or complete a purchase. For example, the return policy shouldn’t be posted only on the back of a receipt.
- Stay safe online. The tax holiday applies to qualifying online purchases in addition to
qualifying in-store purchases. When shopping online, research websites you plan to use and make sure your connection is secure before entering any personal information or payment details. (In the web address, look for the “s” in “https” or a lock symbol.) Also, consider paying with a credit card, which generally gives you stronger protections to dispute unauthorized charges.
- Check the exclusions and limitations of an offer. Exclusions and limitations must be clearly disclosed in advertisements, including those online, -- so you should review terms and conditions carefully before you go to the store or make a purchase.
- Keep your receipts. Maintaining a complete record of a sale will help you handle problems that may arise after a purchase. Keep receipts, copies of advertisements, photos of products and other documentation until the transaction and billing process are complete.
- Monitor your accounts. Regularly check your credit card and bank accounts for unauthorized charges or unexpected activity. If you find problems, immediately notify your credit-card provider or bank. The sooner you identify a problem, the sooner you can work to correct it.
- Protect your personal information. When shopping, don’t carry around unneeded credit cards, debit cards or other sensitive information in your wallet or purse. Also, limit giving out your personal information online. Check privacy policies to see how sellers will use your information.
If you need help addressing a consumer problem or question, contact the Ohio
Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.