Sales Tax Holiday set for Aug. 1-2

Just in time for parents’ “back to school” shopping, the state has announced a two-day Sales Tax Holiday on Aug. 1 and 2.

The state sales tax-break begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, and ends at midnight on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Over the two days, the first $2,500 of non-business purchases will be exempt from the state’s 4 percent sales tax.

The exemption does not apply to motor vehicles and restaurant meals, including to-go orders. Also excluded are hotel rents, amusement, recreational and athletic admissions; repair fees; laundry, cleaning, pressing and dyeing services; vehicle parking; cold storage space fees; printing services; and leases or rentals of telecommunication services.

Purchases made for use in a business, trade or profession are also excluded from the exemption.

The sales tax-free deal is available to Louisiana residents and nonresidents, and all businesses are required to allow the exemption during the holiday period, according to state officials.

To qualify for the sales tax exemptions, customers must accept delivery of the item Aug. 1 or 2 or put the property on layaway or buy it out of layaway during the holiday period.

Items purchased Aug. 1 or 2 that a company cannot deliver until after the holiday also qualify for the state sales tax-free break.

The sales tax holiday does not apply to local sales taxes.