Shop Smart on Sales Tax Holidays and Save Big

Aug. 5, 2011 — -- This weekend 11 states are holding sales tax holidays. And a total of 16 are doing so this back-to-school season. It can be great fun to shop 'til you drop knowing that the math you do in your head as you're stuffing your cart with merchandise won't change at the register when you're forced to "tip" the tax man.

Lawmakers invented these tax-free holidays about a decade ago, as a way of cutting a break to families and -- make no mistake -- also stimulating their local economies. Here are the states offering sales tax holidays this year, the dates of the holidays, and the amount of sales tax they normally charge that you'll be avoiding.

For more details, such as the types of items eligible and price limits, click on a state to go to its own tax information page. (Keep in mind that sometimes cities or counties charge sales tax and their levy may or may not be waived during the state holiday.):