It’s not too late to save money on those soon-top-be-needed items for kids returning to school. This years Tax Free Weekend seems to be having a better than usual affect on the economy. According to News and Messenger:
It was a win-win situation for both parents getting their children ready to go back to school and retailers to ring in some much-needed sales.
Potomac Mills mall was among retailers across the state that support the Virginia Sales Tax Holiday with extra discounts and special events designed to help parents and students save money while getting ready for school.
The program started on Friday and concludes today.
“The crowds coming to the mall this weekend have been comparable to holiday shopping,” said Caroline Barry Green, marketing director.
During the three-day period, shoppers at the retail stores will be exempt from the 5 percent sales tax on school supplies priced up to $20 per item, and clothes and shoes priced up to $100. Stores also can choose to exempt other items and pay the tax themselves.
The taxation department expects shoppers to save $4 million during the period. The tax-free holiday concludes today, so this is the last chance to save in this difficult economy.
Throughout the mall, merchants were singing a happy tune.
Should Virginia consider having more than one tax free weekend for purchasing school clothing and material? How about those who are on vacation? Are there other large group expenditures that should be considered for a tax free spree? Does this weekend really save the average family that much money or is it the idea of a sale that lures people out? Would it be more helpful to parents and students to have a schools supply tax free weekend over Labor Day Weekend, after school supply lists come out?
This is the pols paying off the merchants. Get tax policy right to begin with and you won’t need “tax holidays.” I’m not sure that Virginia is the most benighted jurisdiction in the country on developing straight-talking tax policy, but it sure doesn’t impress me. This isn’t a D/R issue or Conservative/Liberal issue. It’s a candor and competence issue. These qualities seem to be lacking in equal measure at both ends of the political spectrum.
Glad that Virginia’s roads all lead to nirvana, no more traffic woes to pay for. To celebrate, I bought 8 pairs of shoes for me and my family and 2 bags full of clothes. Woo-hoo.
Just doing your part for the economy, ,Emma. Your purchases are down right Virginia-patriotic!
I went out and checked out the new restaurant on Center St. in Manassas.
Center St. Grille. Really nice place and wonderful proprietor. They have done a lot of work in the old O’m’s place. Great food, fabulous wait staff, and George and his wife couldn’t be more hospitable.
http://www.centerstgrille.com/