Illinois’ back-to-school sales tax holiday begins this week, but unlike other states, it won’t be the start of a tax-free weekend.
That’s because the holiday isn’t eliminating sales taxes, it’s discounting them.
The back-to-school sales tax holiday, which gets underway on Aug. 7, waives Illinois’ 5% sales tax on school necessities through Aug. 16.
During the 10-day holiday, consumers will pay a reduced sales tax rate on specific clothing and school-related items. That reduced rate drops the state’s portion of the sales tax from 6.25% to 1.25%, according to officials.
That reduction does not impact locally collected sales taxes, officials caution.
The tax break is expected to save shoppers an estimated $10 million dollars.
At a news conference promoting the tax holiday on Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged prices have risen on everything from groceries to gas to housing, blaming the increases on Washington, tariffs, antitrust policies and the war in Iran.
“And as Illinois parents and students get ready for a new school year, everybody is feeling it,” he said.
The governor said surveys indicate nearly half of parents expect to take on debt or cut back on household essentials to afford back-to-school shopping.
“Working families shouldn’t have to deprive their kids of the necessities that they have upon them for a successful new school year for their kids,” he stated. “We listen to to parents, and the state is stepping up to lower costs. Every child deserves to walk into the classroom on equal footing with every other child, with what they need to learn and grow.”
Which items qualify?
Under provisions of the state law, most school supplies like rulers, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons and other items will qualify.
Certain clothing and shoes priced under $125 are also included.
For a full list of eligible items, visit the Illinois Department of Revenue’s website.
ClothingFootwearSchool suppliesRetail selling price must be less than $125 per item, including: household and shop apronsathletic supportersbathing suits and capsbelts and suspenderscoats and jacketsgloves and mittenshats, caps, and ear muffslab coatsnecktiesrainwearrubber pants (covers for cloth diapers)scarvesunderwearschool uniformsshorts and pantsskirts and dresses hosiery and pantyhoseshirts and blousesRetail selling price must be less than $125 per item, including:shoes, sneakers, and shoe lacessandalsslipperssocks and stockingsfootletsboots and overshoesinsoles for shoessteel-toed shoesMust be used by students in the course of study, including:bindersbookbagscalculatorscellophane tapeblackboard chalkcomposition bookscrayonscolored pencilserasersexpandable pocket, plastic, and manila foldersglue, paste, and paste stickshighlightersindex cards and index card boxeslegal padslunch boxesmarkersnotebooks and notebook paper, including loose leaf notebook, copy, graph, tracing, manila, colored and construction paper, and poster boardpencils and pencil leadspens, ink, and ink refills for penspencil boxes and other school supply boxespencil sharpenersprotractors, rulers, and compassesscissorsWhich items don’t qualify?
Clothing accessoriesSports or recreational equipmentProtective equipmentFootwearAny clothing item with a retail selling price of $125 or more, and:briefcasescosmeticshair notions including, but not limited to barrettes, hair bows, and hair netshandbags and walletshandkerchiefsjewelry and watchesnon-prescription sunglassesumbrellaswigs and hair piecesgloves, including but not limited to baseball, bowling, boxing, hockey, and golf glovesgoggleshand and elbow guardslife preservers and vestsmouth guardsshoulder padswetsuitsbreathing masksclean room apparel and equipmentear and hearing protectorsface shieldshard hats and helmetspaint or dust respiratorsprotective glovessafety glasses and gogglessafety and tool beltswelder’s gloves and masksballet, tap, cleated or spiked athletic shoesroller and ice skatesski bootswaders and fins School suppliesArt suppliesInstructional materialComputer and computer suppliesElectronicsAny not used by students in the course of study, andclay and glazesacrylic, tempera, and oil paintspaintbrushes for artworksketch and drawing padswatercolorsreference booksreference maps and globestextbooks and workbookscomputers and related suppliesflashdrives and other computer data storage devicesdata storage media such as diskettes, and compact disksboxes and cases for disk storageexternal ports or drivescomputer casescomputer cablescomputer printersprinter cartridges, toner, and inkcameras and related supplies such as film and memory cards, video cameras, tapes and videotapescell phonesPersonal Digital Assistants (PDA’s) and handheld electronic schedulersHence then, the article about does illinois have a tax free weekend coming up not exactly but here s what s happening was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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