Maryland tax-free week 2026 is giving families a break on back-to-school purchases through August 15. Annapolis Mall is pairing the tax holiday with a new program that directs shopping activity toward local schools, as Baltimore Chronicle reports. Sources: Comptroller of Maryland, Annapolis Mall School Cents. Original report: WMAR-2 News.
What is tax-free during Maryland tax-free week 2026
The statewide Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week runs from August 9 through August 15. Qualifying clothing and footwear costing $100 or less per item avoid Maryland’s 6% sales tax. The first $40 of a backpack or bookbag purchase is also exempt.
Shoppers should note that the exemption does not cover every school purchase. Most accessories remain taxable, while backpacks receive only the limited exemption described above.
| Purchase | Tax-free rule |
|---|---|
| Clothing | $100 or less per item |
| Footwear | $100 or less per item |
| Backpack or bookbag | First $40 is exempt |
| Most accessories | Not covered |
The rules apply statewide, making the week particularly relevant for families completing school wardrobes before classes resume. Annapolis Mall reported increased back-to-school shopping during the promotion.
How the Annapolis Mall School Cents program works
The new School Cents program allows shoppers to support participating local schools by uploading receipts from Annapolis Mall stores and restaurants. Purchases generate points for the selected school. Participating schools can receive a share of up to $15,000.
The process is straightforward:
- shop at an Annapolis Mall store or restaurant;
- keep the purchase receipt;
- upload it through the School Cents website or app;
- select a participating school to receive the points.
The initiative continues beyond tax-free week. WMAR reports that shoppers can participate through March 2027, while the mall schedules its School Cents awards presentation for April 2027.
That gives families several months to generate support through purchases they may already be making. Tax-free week provides the immediate savings, while School Cents extends the local-school benefit into the academic year.
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