Ohio’s sales tax holiday—the period each summer when teachers and parents can stock up on school supplies tax-free—begins at midnight on Tuesday, July 30 and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8.

For the first time this year, the sales tax holiday applies to restaurants and retail stores, thanks to the passage of Ohio House Bill 33.

Cleveland Independents and Cleveland Shops, organizations of locally owned, independent restaurants and retail stores will celebrate in the holiday. Sales of dine-in food at restaurants and purchases at locally owned retailers are now included in the sales tax holiday.

Guidelines for the sales tax holiday:

• Alcohol is not included.
• Bills over more than $500 can not be split into two bills into two.
• The total price of “buy one, get one free” or similar transactions cannot be averaged to qualify both items for the holiday.
• Discounts or coupons (including loyalty card programs) that reduce the price of an eligible item to $500 or less, will qualify an item. For example, all Cleveland Independents gift certificates and gift cards can be used.