Sales Tax "Holidays" Help Budget Conscious Families with Back-to-School Purchases
This summer many states will offer the opportunity for families to purchase back-to-school items, clothing and other essentials without having to pay sales tax. Some states are even extending the "holiday" to include personal computers.
Houston, TX (PRWEB) July 26, 2008
This summer many states will offer the opportunity for families to purchase back-to-school items, clothing and other essentials without having to pay sales tax. Some states are even extending the sales tax "holiday" to include personal computers.
"This is an excellent opportunity for working families, single parents and anyone else who needs a break to buy essentials and back-to-school items", said Mark Guimond, Executive Director of the American Association of Debt Management Organizations (AADMO), the largest trade association for the credit counseling industry.
"Families should be sure to check the items included in their state's list of sales tax "holiday" items. Some states have included baby clothes, diapers, school athletic gear, clothing, uniforms, footwear, computers and items placed on layaway", added Guimond.
The dates for the individual state sales tax "holidays", some covered items and links to the states for additional information are:
Alabama
Items Included: Clothing, Computers, School Supplies and Diapers
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 1 - 3
Information: http://www. ador. state. al. us/salestax/SalesTaxHol. htm
Connecticut
Items Included: Clothing and Footwear
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 17 - 23
Information: http://www. ct. gov/drs/cwp/view. asp? Q=315194&A=14
Georgia
Items Included: Clothing, Computers, General School Supplies and Footwear
2008 "Holiday" Dates: July 31 - August 3
Information: http://www. etax. dor. ga. gov/salestax/holiday/index. aspx
Iowa
Items Included: Clothing, Footwear, Baby Clothes. Diapers and Scout Uniforms
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 1 - 2
Information: http://www. iowaccess. org/tax/educate/holiday1.html
Louisiana
Items Included: Tangible Personal Property
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 1 - 2
Information: http://www. rev. state. la. us/sections/general/hottopics/salestaxholiday. aspx#ind-eligible
Missouri
Items Included: Clothing, School Supplies, Software and Personal Computers
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 1 - 3
Information: http://dor. mo. gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/
New Mexico
Items Included: Clothing, Computers and School Supplies
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 1 - 3
Information: http://www. tax. state. nm. us/pubs/B-200_18.pdf
North Carolina
Items Included: Clothing, Footwear, School Supplies, Computers, Sports Equipment and Computer Supplies
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 1 - 3
Information: http://www. dor. state. nc. us/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday. html
Oklahoma
Items Included: Clothing and Footwear
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 1 - 3
Information: http://www. tax. ok. gov/upmin061108.html
South Carolina
Items Included: Clothing, Footwear, School Supplies, Computers, Software, Bed and Bath Ware
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 1 - 3
Information: http://www. sctax. org/NR/rdonlyres/7157C42B-9C11-4698-A08D-093955585367/0/IL0811.pdf
Tennessee
Items Included: Clothing, School Supplies and Computers
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 1- 3
Information: http://tn. gov/revenue/salestaxholiday/index. htm
Texas
Items Included: Clothing, Backpacks, Baby Clothes, Diapers, Footwear and Gym Uniforms
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 15 - 17
Information: http://www. window. state. tx. us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html
Virginia
Items Included: Clothing, School Supplies and Footwear
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 4 - 6
Information: http://www. tax. virginia. gov/web_pdfs/STH_FAQs. pdf
Washington, D. C
Items Included: Clothing and Footwear
2008 "Holiday" Dates: August 2 - 10
Information: http://newsroom. dc. gov/show. aspx/agency/otr/section/2/release/14403
FINDING HELP WITH CREDIT AND DEBT PROBLEMS
"If families are having difficulties making ends meet or facing financial difficulties, they many want to contact a credit counseling agency for a private and confidential personal budget analysis. Credit counseling is a time tested method to help consumers get back on their feet", said Guimond.
According to Guimond, "Most states have laws regulating credit counseling agencies so consumers can be assured of working only with legally operating and quality agencies. Through AADMO consumers can learn which states issue licenses, those agencies that are licensed and where to find those agencies".
Mark Guimond has given numerous speeches including those to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions encouraging consumers to look for licensed and legally authorized credit counseling agencies.
The AADMO web page (http://www. AADMO. org) identifies all licensed or authorized credit counseling agencies that are approved by the respective state.
Consumers can get help from legitimate and approved credit counselors. To find a list of authorized agencies published by a state visit http://www. AADMO. org and click on the "Find a Credit Counselor" button.
The AADMO web page links consumers directly with states that publish lists of authorized agencies. Those states that regulate credit counseling agencies but do not have a list of authorized agencies on the web have the appropriate contact information listed. Those states that do not require, or do not publish a list, are indicated with "List of authorized credit counseling agencies not available."
Consumers should note that several states, such as Iowa and Indiana, only require in-state agencies to be licensed. Some states, such as Alaska, Massachusetts and Arkansas do not currently have any license requirements for credit counselors and therefore do not have any list of authorized agencies. Other states, such as Florida, Georgia and Ohio, have laws regulating credit counseling but do not have a license requirement.
California requires that credit counseling agencies file for an exemption to licensing rather than obtain a license. Washington, D. C. and Colorado repealed their laws and Washington State abolished its license requirement.
ABOUT AADMO
AADMO is the largest trade association for the credit counseling and debt management industry. Nationwide, the majority of licensed and legally operating credit counseling agencies are members of AADMO.
AADMO is an industry education and advocacy organization the mission of which is to promote and ensure the continued operation and viability of credit counseling and debt management organizations.
AADMO members are consumer credit counseling agencies, debt management organizations, credit counselors, personal finance educators, credit and debt information educators, bankruptcy pre-filing counselors, bankruptcy pre-discharge educators, consumer lawyers and many others.
AADMO is the only trade association to have held state law compliance workshops with the New York State Banking Department and the California Department of Corporations upon enactment of their respective laws governing credit counseling. AADMO is also the only trade association for the industry to publish a formal summary of state laws that has been reviewed by state regulators.
For more information visit http://www. AADMO. org or call 281-361-2325.
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