Apple Tax-Free Shopping: Because Nothing Says 'Back to School' Like Paying 15% Less for an iPad
Eight states offer tax-free Apple shopping in July and August, but the deals are narrow, price-capped, and mostly in the Southeast - so check your zip code before getting excited.
If you've been eyeing a new iPhone, iPad, or Mac but find Apple's prices a bit too premium for your blood, you might be in luck - provided you live in one of eight specific states and are willing to shop within a narrow window of time. Tax-free shopping events, typically held in July and August for back-to-school season, are upon us, and some states have decided that Apple devices deserve a spot on the tax-free list. This comes at a particularly opportune moment, as Apple has been raising prices on products by 15% to 25% due to the higher cost and shorter supply of memory chips. So, the savings are real, even if the window is small.
The states offering tax-free Apple goodies are: Alabama, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Each state has its own rules, price caps, and qualifying products, so you'll want to check the details. For example, Alabama caps tax-exempt items at $1,173 total, while Massachusetts allows items up to $2,500 each, with no limit on the number of items. In Virginia, the tax break applies only to cellphone chargers and batteries priced at $60 or less - so, not exactly a full iPhone. And in West Virginia, only laptops and tablets under $500 qualify. The deals are narrow, and most states are in the Southeast, so if you're in New York, you'd have to drive to Massachusetts, which might not be worth the trip. Also, the tax-free dates don't extend to September when new iPhones are expected to launch - a missed opportunity for Apple buyers. Still, if you live in the right state and need a device now, mark your calendar and save a few bucks.
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