State sales tax holidays for 2009 start now!

Each year, some U.S. states hold tax holidays -- short periods where state sales taxed are waived on selected items. Most often, these items are school-related, and the tax holiday is timed for school-shopping season. For example, Missourians can spend up to $3,500 on computers on August 7-9 and pay no sales tax on the purchase, a potential savings of almost $148.

Other states use the tax holidays to entice residents to trade in their appliances for more efficient energy star models, or prepare for natural disasters such as hurricanes. Louisiana has the least restrictive holiday, waiving taxes on all non-business personal items up to $2,500 on August 7-8. The most unusual holiday? South Carolina's, which celebrates the start of winter hunting season with a two-day tax waiver on rifles, shotguns, and shotguns.

This year, many states are struggling to meet their budgets, and some have debated ending tax holidays. Washington, D.C. canceled its planned August tax holiday just a few weeks ago. We'll update our chart as quickly as possible in such an event, so check back before heading to the mall. Good hunting!

Thanks to the Federation of Tax Administrators