Last minute back-to-school shopping? Here's how to lower prices at checkout
Through August 14, retailers must lower the sales tax on school supplies for items with a retail selling price of $125 per item. The move is part of the state's gas, property tax, and grocery relief bill that passed in April.
There’s still a way you can lower the total cost of needed school supplies as your family heads back to school.
Between August 5 and August 14, retailers must lower the sales tax on school supplies from 6.25% to 1.25% for items with a retail selling price of $125 per item. That lowers the selling price for needed supplies ahead of the school year.
The measure is part of the state’s $1.8 billion Illinois Family Relief Plan that passed in April, providing relief on gas, property taxes, and groceries for families.
“Our parents shouldn’t have to choose between buying essential school supplies for their children and putting food on the kitchen table. Our teachers shouldn’t have to break the bank to do right by the students that they nurture day in and day out,” said Governor JB Pritzker in a news release Thursday.
“Back to school should be as stress free as possible for working families and their children, and this tax holiday will help remove some of that burden.”
A recent survey from financial advisory group Deloitte shows parents spend about $661 on average on back-to-school shopping. That’s up 8% from last year, where parents reported spending $612.
This comes amid rising inflation and concerns about a national recession.
What items are eligible?
- Shoes
- Boots
- Coats
- School uniforms
- Pants
- Bookbags
- Calculators
- Notebooks and notebook paper
- Pencils, pens, and writing utensils
- Index cards
- Folders
Are there any exceptions to the $125 cap?
Items used in the course of studying like aren’t capped, plus you can expect the sales tax reduction. That includes:
My kid needs a new laptop. Is that eligible for a sales tax reduction?
Many electronic devices do not qualify for the reduction, including:
- Computers
- Flash Drives
- Printers and ink cartridges
- Cell phones
Can I use my coupons with this or still use store discounts?
It depends. Make sure the item is below the $125 threshold—below or after you would apply the coupon or discount.
Is there any relief for teachers?
Teachers can expect an income tax credit up to $250 for school supplies purchased for their classrooms like blackboard chalk, binders, index cards, and more.
Find the full list of eligible items here.
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Amethyst J. Davis is responsible for spearheading the growth and development of the HWH, including outlining the editorial trajectory and content. She also produces “The Renaissance Letter,” our biweekly email newsletter, edits content, and fact-checks stories prior to publication Amethyst was an administrator at New York University before launching her journalism career. She is also a member of the Sounding Board, the community advisory board for Chicago Public Media, which includes WBEZ Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times.
In 2022, Amethyst was a Casey Fellow with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Black News & Views, where she covered health and COVID-19 for the NABJ’s newly launched digital news service. She is a sought after speaker on community journalism and has given talks at institutions like DePaul University and the University of Kansas. Amethyst is a regular guest on City Cast Chicago.
She was invited by Harvard University to submit a 2023 Nieman Lab prediction, which taps the smartest in media and journalism nationwide to offer thoughts on the future of digital media. Under her leadership, the HWH has become one of the nation's most-watched hyperlocal newsrooms. The HWH has received national coverage in publications like Poynter, Harvard University's Nieman Lab, the National Press Journalism Club Institute, and Editor & Publisher.
Amethyst is a Brooks Middle School ('11) and Thornton Township High School alum (‘15) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from NYU (BA'19). She is an alumni of the Data and Policy Summer Scholar program at the University of Chicago.
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Are you a parent of a child who attends school in Harvey? Tell us how the return to in-person learning is going for your family.
We want to hear about your return to in-person learning experience with your children this school year.
