Reminder: You Can Get Apple Products Tax-Free in 10 States - MacRumors
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Reminder: You Can Get Apple Products Tax-Free in 10 States

Several U.S. states are offering sales tax holidays in the coming weeks, and some of those sales tax savings are available on Apple products.

apple sales tax holiday
Apple's website lists all of the states that can get Apple devices without sales tax, and the dates for the tax-free periods. Purchases with no sales tax can be made in Arkansas, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia in the coming weeks and days. There was also a tax-free holiday in Alabama, but it has since ended.

The tax-free holidays in New Mexico and Tennessee start today and last through July 27. Tax holidays in other states will take place in August.

During these tax-free holidays, select Apple products purchased online or in retail stores will not be subject to sales tax. According to Apple, tax savings may not appear at checkout, but will be reflected on the final receipt.

Devices that are eligible for tax-free purchase vary by state, and some states also have price limits, so it's worth checking the specifics for your state. Apple's website has details.

In New Mexico, for example, computers that are $1,000 or less and accessories under $500 are eligible, while in Tennessee, tax breaks are available on Macs, iPads, and related accessories under $1,500.

In Arkansas, all Macs, iPads, iPhones, and the Vision Pro can be purchased tax free, and Massachusetts removes tax from purchases under $2,500. In Virginia, only cell phone chargers and batteries under $60 are eligible for tax-free purchase.

Sales tax holidays are useful for back to school shopping for students, and for Apple devices, the savings can be combined with Apple's Back to School Promotion. Students are eligible for a free or discounted accessory like the AirPods 4 with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad.

Top Rated Comments

Fidget08 Avatar
9 months ago
People who brag about sales tax should by law be require to state their property tax rates as well.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
9 months ago
What about CA?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrMojo1 Avatar
9 months ago
It's sales tax free every day here in NH. :cool:
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
k1121j Avatar
9 months ago
We get that every day in New Hampshire! 🎉
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
9 months ago
Just got to go see my friends in Oregon, whenever I'm looking for a new computer...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
9 months ago

Thanks for the info. Seems very complicated but I’m guessing it works.
Businesses are generally required to collect and remit state sales taxes (if any) to the state where the goods and services are sold and delivered. For online sales, it is based on the shipping address and the customer is charged the tax as part of the sale. No separate tax remit is needed and the business collects and pays the tax on behalf of the customer.

But if someone purchases something in person in a different state, they may be required to declare it to the taxing authority and pay the use tax. For example, if a resident of Massachusetts (which has a use tax) purchases a new Mac at an Apple Store in New Hampshire, they will not pay a sales tax at the time of purchase because New Hampshire has no general sales tax (only for meals and lodging). When that resident returns home to Massachusetts with the new Mac, they are supposed to voluntarily declare the purchase and pay any required tax. In practice, this is nearly impossible to enforce and most people would not voluntarily do so.

A number of years ago Massachusetts tried to get a tire retailer in New Hampshire to collect Massachusetts sales tax from customers who resided in Massachusetts. Ultimately, the court held that the state could not force the out-of-state tire retailer to collect the tax because there was no evidence that the tires were being used in Massachusetts. But it is still an open and contentious question of whether a state can force out-of-state businesses to collect sales taxes.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)