Back-to-school savings plan: Backpack giveaways and sales-tax-free shopping in WV

Coping with inflation

Alexis Shafer, a parent from St. Albans, described back-to-school season as “chaotic," especially with three kids who are age 10 and under. She loves how excited her kids get to pick out school clothes — although that trip often detours into the toy aisle. Through the chaos, she and other local parents have developed their own strategies to make it through the back-to-school shopping rush.

And it's not just them.

The National Bureau of Economic Research presented a paper in 2024 detailing that inflation significantly reduces what families can afford to spend over their lifetimes — even after accounting for expected wage and benefit increases. For example, if inflation permanently rises from 0% to 10%, the typical (median) household loses nearly 7% of its expected remaining lifetime spending power.

Because of economic cutbacks, parents surveyed for Deloitte's 18th annual Back-to-School Survey say they plan to be more strategic when shopping this year. To navigate inflation and financial uncertainty during the back-to school shopping time, the second-largest annual spending event after Black Friday-Cyber Monday (in November), many families will time purchases around big promotional events, spread out their expenses over a longer period, choose more affordable brands and retailers, and even opt for slower shipping to save on delivery fees.

“They’re approaching [back-to-school] with a note of restraint, given current economic and household financial positions,� the accounting and financial services company said on its website. “Despite the uncertainty, parents appear confident they can replace clothing and refill backpacks by leaning on the savvy shopping habits they’ve honed during the past few years of high prices.�

Surveyed parents reported that they expect to spend an average of $570 per child this year.

West Virginia’s annual Sales Tax Holiday returns this year, giving families a break on essential school supplies by cutting state and local taxes on applicable purchases. The tax-free weekend begins at midnight Thursday, and ends at midnight Monday.

“We usually go [shopping] in person, because they like to pick out their own items,� said Shafer, who added that she's anxious to get started. “Our plan is to go on the [West Virginia] tax-free day. It helps save money, and they get school clothing vouchers.�

Nicole Looney and Julie Mounts, mothers from Roane County, also take their children in-person to stores like Gabe's and Walmart to shop back-to-school deals.

Looney was surprised to learn about the tax-free holiday but said she is always looking for good back-to-school deals and giveaways. Mounts, however, said it is one of her back-to-school shopping strategies, as well as looking for good sales after Halloween.

What qualifies for the tax holiday?

Shoppers can purchase qualifying items from West Virginia retailers without paying sales tax, as long as each item meets the specific price thresholds.

There’s no cap on the total transaction amount, but each item must be under its respective price limit. Items purchased for commercial or business use are not eligible.

The exemption applies to in-store and online purchases, as long as the order is placed, paid for and shipped within the holiday window. Both state and local sales taxes are waived for qualifying items.

Here’s a breakdown of qualifying categories and item limits:

Clothing (up to $125/item)

• Shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, coats
• Suits, uniforms, rainwear, shoes (including steel-toed)
• Undergarments, hats, socks, diapers (adult and child)

School supplies (up to $50/item)

• Notebooks, folders, binders
• Pens, pencils, markers, crayons
• Glue, paste, scissors, calculators
• Backpacks, lunch boxes, rulers, paper
• Instructional materials (up to $20/item)
• Workbooks, textbooks, reference books, maps, globes

Laptops/tablets (up to $500/item)

• Must be for personal or school use only

Sports equipment (up to $150/item)

• General-use physical education and recreational gear

Items not included

• Jewelry, cosmetics, handbags, umbrellas
• Protective gear (e.g., helmets, goggles)
• Sports-specific gear (e.g., cleats, tap shoes)
• Trade/costume supplies, business-use items

Key rules to know

• Coupons and discounts: Store coupons can bring the price under the exemption limit. Manufacturer coupons do not.
• Buy one, get one free: Tax is based on the price per item — not the average.
• Layaway and online orders: Orders qualify if placed and paid for during the holiday.
• Returns and exchanges: Exchanges for size or color after the holiday are still tax-free.
• Rebates: Do not count toward the price cap.

Retailers cannot opt out of participation and must report tax-free sales accurately on their CST-200CU return.

For more information, including the full list of qualifying items and FAQs, visit the West Virginia Tax Division’s Sales Tax Holiday page.

Communities also bolstering back-to-school

Many local communities are stepping up to also help offset those costs across the region.

Round Room LLC — one of the country’s largest Verizon authorized retailers — hosted its annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway on July 27 at more than 1,200 of its TCC and Wireless Zone stores, including its ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä location at 5707 MacCorkle Ave. SE, Suite 85. 

The company reportedly gave away more than 140,000 backpacks nationwide.

Sierra Sovine — a Dunbar city councilwoman who also founded Dunbar Community Partners — shared similar sentiments ahead of DCP's fifth annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, noting that affordability and accessibility are factors in their planning.

"Over the years, we’ve come to realize just how many families in our community need a little extra help and aren't always sure where to turn," Sovine said. "That’s why we’re committed to not just handing out school supplies, but creating a special, free event that brings the support directly to them."