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14 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • August 2014 1. School supplies selling for less than $20.00 per item are tax free. Qualifying school supplies include any items commonly used by students in a course of study. Therefore, all common school supplies as well as many office supplies, art supplies, musical instruments, thermoses, lunch boxes and reference books are all tax exempt. 2. Clothing selling for less than $100 per item is also tax free. However, only clothing intended for everyday use is included in the tax-free weekend. This does not include sporting equipment and footwear designed primarily for athletic activities although sneakers, running shoes, and swim suits are included. Clothing accessory items such as purses, jewelry and sunglasses are not included. 3. Calculators under the price limit of $20.00 per item are included in the tax free category. This excludes many scientific and all graphic calculators from inclusion in tax free weekend. Computers and most electronics are also not exempt from taxes as they are not considered a school supply. By NiNa ParrisH M.Ed. R egardless of whether your child is in Kindergarten or College, back to school shopping is sure to be expen- sive. in fact, families spend an average of $630 each year shopping for back to school supplies, according to the National retail Federation. as a small reprieve from this finan- cial burden, each year retailers are required to participate in a sales tax holiday which always takes place on the first week- end in august. This year Tax Free Weekend is August 1 st -3 rd . Here are three things you will need to know while shopping for back to school supplies on Tax Free Weekend: although back to school shopping can seem overwhelming and expensive for most families, there are many families in our community who are simply unable to afford all of the necessary supplies for school. Without assistance, many of these students will come to school without the necessary supplies. in spotsylvania County, these families, their teachers, and school social workers can procure free school supplies at the Treasure House located behind Massaponax High school. To ensure that every student has the necessary school supplies, spotsylvania County Public schools and Parrish Learning Zone are holding a stuff the Bus school supply drive on Friday august 1 st at the Walmart on southpoint Parkway. if you are out shopping, for your own school supplies please drop by to see us and make a donation which will help a needy child in our community start the school year right. Not only will it be tax free, it will be a tax deduction and a way to come togeth- er as a community to help children succeed! Nina Parrish lives in Spotsylvania with her husband and daughter where she runs a tutor- ing service. Three Tips for weekend Tax Free Weekend: AUG 1-3