Tax-Free Weekend Only Applies To Limited Purchases, New Bill Hopes To Include School Supplies

Tax-free weekend is an annual effort to bring relief to consumers and businesses.

It always falls during the first week of August.

But only clothes which cost less than $100 are actually tax-exempt. Representative Jacob Rosecrants (D-Norman) believes some school supplies should be included in the tax-free weekend.

"Not going to lie, as a parent I was surprised to see school supplies weren't included," Rosecrants said.

Last session, he authored HB1039, which would expand tax-free status during the annual weekend to eligible school supplies. The bill is currently in committee, and has bipartisan support from its two Republican cosponsors, Sen. Blake Stephens and Rep. Daniel Pae.

Likewise, one Yukon teacher believes tax-free status could help out the state's educators who typically pay for some school supplies out-of-pocket.

"If school supplies could be on that tax-free weekend, it could save not only me but parents and other teachers hundreds of dollars in the long run," said Alyssa Odparlik.

The bill will face opposition during the coming session, notably from groups who argue the financial consequence will lose nearly $13 million in state revenue. That analysis doesn't include county or city sales taxes.