Tax-Free Shopping Weekend Is Coming Up in Louisiana on August 2 and 3

School starts in less than two weeks for many students in Shreveport-Bossier, and it's time to start thinking about back to school shopping. You should know that you won't pay sales tax on most consumer goods on Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3.

Several stores will be having big back to school sales to lure in parents hunting for colored pencils,  binders, lunch boxes and, of course, clothing and shoes during this big dollar season.

Here's some helpful info on the tax-free back to school shopping weekend and tips for getting the most bang for your buck.

What is the Sales Tax Holiday?

The Louisiana Sales Tax Holiday provides an exemption from state sales tax on the first $2,500 you spend. You do have to pay sales tax for items that cost more than $2,500.

The holiday will apply to the four-percent Louisiana sales tax, but will not apply to the sales taxes levied by parishes, municipalities, school boards, and other political subdivisions of the state.

The 2013 holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 2, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, August 3.

What items are eligible for exemption?

The state revenue department website says it applies to all consumer purchases of "tangible personal property, other than vehicles subject to license and title." Meals (including to-go orders) are not included.

What are the conditions for exemption?

A customer will be eligible for the sales tax exemption if, during the two days of each annual holiday, they:

• buy and accept delivery of eligible property
• place property on layaway
• acquire property that was previously placed on layaway; or
• place an order for immediate delivery, even if delivery must be delayed, provided that the customer has not requested delayed shipment.

See the full 2013-2014 school calendar for Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto and Webster Parishes