While the school year might look a bit different when it begins in a few weeks, students still need stock up on necessary supplies. The back-to-school timeframe is one of the top sales seasons for almost any retailer and many states offer tax-free holidays on popular school necessities.

This year, sixteen states will forgo collecting sales tax on specific items for a certain number of days prior to the start of the school year. If your store is in one of the states which includes computers and other technology-related products on their list of eligible items, it can help add to your revenue stream.

Here is a breakdown and some examples from participating states:

Tax Exempt Items and Spending Limits

Sales associates should be familiar with any limits set in place for eligible items. Caps on computer spending can range from $350 to $3,000, depending on the state. The same thing goes for which products are eligible. For example, a state may offer tax exemptions on computers, but not computer components or peripherals. Sales teams should be familiar with such limitations.

Many sales managers keep lists of available tax-exempt products and associated spending limits at all cash registers, while others have printouts available for customers when they come through the door. Just be sure you have a system in place so associates can easily access the information and answer any questions your customers may have.

An Early Start on Holiday Shopping

Many shoppers use these sales tax-free days to get a jumpstart on their holiday shopping. If your state is one with higher price allowances on eligible products, customers can enjoy quite the savings.

Customers might not even be aware of the sales tax holiday. For those interested in eligible computers or technology products, this is a vital piece of information to share to help close the sale.

Start a Great Second Half with Back-to-School Sales

Even if your store isn’t in a state that offers this sort of tax break, back-to-school shopping is going to happen. Whether students are sitting in an actual classroom or they are learning from home, they need products and supplies for a successful school year.

These sales tax-free holidays provide incentives for people to shop. Make sure your team is up on their product knowledge. It can serve as a kickstart to these important sales periods that occur during the second half of the year.

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