8-23-2023 6:25pm

New Jersey Launches Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: Save on School Supplies and More

Starting Saturday, August 26, and lasting through September 4, the statewide sales tax holiday offers parents, students, and teachers the chance to purchase school-related items without the burden of sales tax.

The New Jersey Department of the Treasury is ushering in the back-to-school season with a 10-day sales tax holiday, commencing on Saturday, August 26, and running until Monday, September 4. The tax exemption covers a wide range of school supplies and equipment, providing financial relief to families and educators as they prepare for the new school year.

Parents, students, teachers, and the general public can avail themselves of this tax exemption, announced by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury and supported by state officials.

The 10-day sales tax holiday allows the purchase of specific school supplies and equipment without the addition of sales tax. Items include common school supplies, art materials, instructional items, computers under $3,000, computer supplies under $1,000, and certain sports or recreational equipment.

The sales tax holiday begins on Saturday, August 26, and concludes on Monday, September 4. The tax exemption applies to both in-store and online purchases across New Jersey.

Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Nick Scutari, Speaker Craig Coughlin, and State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio have expressed that the tax holiday aims to ease the financial stress of back-to-school shopping for families and educators, making essential items more affordable.

Tax-exempt items include:

School supplies like pens, pencils, notebooks, and binders.
Art supplies like paints, paintbrushes, clay, and glazes.
Instructional materials like reference books, maps, globes, textbooks, and workbooks.
Computers with a sales price of less than $3,000.
Computer supplies under $1,000, such as storage equipment, printers, and personal digital assistants.
Sport or recreational equipment, such as mouthguards, athletic or dance shoes, and bike helmets.

For detailed information on qualifying items, individuals are encouraged to visit the Division of Taxation’s website.

New Jersey’s back-to-school sales tax holiday reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to supporting families and teachers during this essential shopping season. It also provides a viable opportunity to equip students with the necessary tools for their educational journey. The initiative is part of the state's broader efforts to make living in New Jersey more affordable for its residents.