Claremore Daily Progress

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August 2, 2012

Sales Tax Holiday means big business, big savings

Staff Reports Claremore Progress

CLAREMORE — Everyone loves a bargain and this weekend, shoppers will get a major break on their clothing purchases — no matter where they go.

Just after midnight after today, a statewide sales tax holiday will go into effect across the rest of the state for 48 hours, until midnight on Sunday.
During this time, consumers will have the opportunity to purchase certain clothing and other items free of sales tax.
The total sales tax rate charged within the city limits of Claremore is 9.33 cents on every dollar spent. Three cents is for the City of Claremore, 4.5 cents is for the state and 1.83 cents for Rogers County.
Owasso is 8.35 cents, of which 4.5 cents goes to the State of Oklahoma, .85 cents goes to Tulsa County and the remaining three pennies is allocated to the City of Owasso. 
During the sales tax holiday, however, sales tax will be waived on certain clothing purchases, adding up to big business for local merchants and big savings for customers who patronize them.
In 2007, the Oklahoma Legislature passed Senate Bill 8 to benefit consumers and retailers in the state by providing sales tax exempt shopping.
Since then, consumers and business owners have benefited from the sales tax holiday in that businesses are provided a boost in sales, and consumers are allowed to save money when shopping for shoes and clothing.
Single clothing items and shoes costing less than $100 are included in the sales tax holiday, although accessories, special clothing or footwear designed specifically for athletic activity or protective use, nor to the rental of clothing or footwear.
Accessories would include anything considered to be jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches and other similar items, not considered clothing.
Some of the most frequently asked questions — and their answers — regarding the upcoming sales tax holiday can be found at the Oklahoma Tax Commission website, among them:
• Who may make sales tax-exempt purchases?
Under the special holiday law, if an item is tax exempt, anyone may make the purchase tax-free.
• Area all retailers required to participate?
Yes, retailers may not charge tax on items that are tax-exempt during the sales tax holiday weekend.
• Is there a maximum price before an item becomes taxable?
Yes, if an eligible item is less than $100 it is sales tax exempt during the sales tax holiday.  An item that is $100 or more is taxable.
• Do items placed in layaway qualify for an exemption from sales tax?
Yes, eligible items will qualify for the exemption when final payment on the layaway is made and the item is given to the customer during the exemption period.
• What if a retailer runs out of an item and offers a raincheck. Will the transaction still be sales tax exempt?
Eligible items purchased during the sales tax holiday using a previously issued raincheck qualify for the exemption.  If a raincheck issued during the sales tax holiday is redeemed after the sales tax holiday, the purchase is not tax exempt.
For more information about Oklahoma’s Sales Tax Holiday, visit www.tax.ok.gov/stholiday.html.

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