Sales tax holidays are on the horizon in select U.S. states, and prospective buyers might be surprised to learn that some Apple products are receiving tax-exempt status during the holiday — but eligible products vary by state. There are rarely discounts on the company's products when they are purchased directly from Apple's retail stores — either in-person or online — but there are other ways that buyers can receive offers and sales. The most common offer that Apple provides buyers comes in the form of a gift card. During the company's Black Friday sales, a gift card comes with an eligible purchase rather than a standard discount on the regular retail price. In addition to short offers like this, a tax holiday is a good way to save money when purchasing Apple products.
The sales tax holiday coincides with a currently-running Apple promotion for students: the annual back-to-school sale. Though it has changed in form over the years, Apple's back-to-school sale has been a summer staple, making purchasing a MacBook or iPad for school a better value. For this year's sale, students and educators can save over a hundred dollars, depending on the item, on an iPad or MacBook. Additionally, the usual AirPods or Beats offer is ditched for an Apple gift card free of charge. With the purchase of an iPad, buyers will get a $100 Apple gift card, while Mac buyers will receive a $150 Apple gift card. For students in select states during the tax holiday, this offer can also be paired with a sales tax exemption, further lowering the purchase price.
Nine states are holding a sales tax holiday in the U.S. during select dates in July and August, but the types of eligible products that will be exempted vary significantly by state. Since the exemption is on the sales tax that the state applies after purchase, the holiday won't affect the sticker prices of any Apple products. However, sales tax is an additional fee that can add up to hundreds of dollars, depending on the retail price of the item purchased. So while the savings might not appear until the checkout page — with a billing address added — it can save buyers a lot of money. The states that are holding a sales tax holiday in the coming days and weeks are Arkansas, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
All The Products With Tax-Exempt Status
Arkansas, Massachusetts and South Carolina are the three states with the most valuable items included under the tax holiday. In Arkansas, there is no sales price limit for purchased items, but the products must be for individual use. The tax holiday is Aug. 6–7, and it includes computers, iPads, iPhones and select accessories. The sales tax holiday for Massachusetts is Aug. 13–14 and must be for individual use, but it includes any item with a sales price of under $2500. There is no limit for South Carolina's sales tax holiday from Aug. 5–7, but any accessories purchased without a CPU must be bought with a computer to be eligible for the holiday. Computers, iPads, printers and some non-recreational software qualify for everyone, while select accessories are only tax-exempt for students.
Other states have more limited tax exemptions during their tax holidays. Florida has a more extended tax holiday, from July 25–Aug. 7, but has a limit of $1500 for purchased items. Missouri also has a limit of $1500 for purchased items during its tax holiday from Aug. 5–7, and it includes software under $350. New Mexico's tax holiday includes items under $1000, which limits the Apple products eligible, from August 5-7. Tennessee's sales tax holiday is from July 29–31 and includes computers and iPads under $1500, among other items. West Virginia's limit is $500 from Aug. 5-8, while Virginia's is just $60 for only batteries on Aug. 5-7. Tax holidays are a great way to make purchasing Apple products cheaper, and if they aren't available in a given state, there's always the option to travel for the holiday.
Source: Apple