Shoppers looking for bargains, including back-to-school purchases, will get a nice break this August when they make purchases at District stores during the city's Sales Tax Holiday. The tax holiday will begin Saturday, August 7, 2004, and will continue through Sunday, August 15, 2004. During this period, clothing, footwear, accessories and school supplies costing $100 or less per item will be exempt from all sales taxes.

Councilmember Carol Schwartz introduced legislation, which was passed by the Council, to establish a permanent annual sales tax holiday to coincide with the time when parents, guardians, and students are making back-to-school purchases. "I was very pleased to finally get a permanent sales tax holiday period established in the District. We have exactly nine days until our nine-day Sales Tax Holiday" said Ms. Schwartz, who was quick to point out that students are not the only ones who will be able to take advantage of the savings.

"Anyone - of any age - who buys a dress, a pair of slacks or a pair of shoes will save, so long as the things they are buying each cost $100 or less," she said. "You could literally spend a thousand dollars and pay no sales tax, as long as each exempt item costs $100 or less. Think of the savings!"

Ms. Schwartz will hold a press conference on the sales tax holiday with other city and business leaders on Thursday, August 5th, at 10 a.m. inside Hecht's Department Store in Downtown Washington. For more information about the press conference or the sales tax holiday, please call Lee Smith at 202-724-8105.

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