What do vitamins, chef’s hats, pony rides, silos, caramel apples, shoulder pads, cable TV and marijuana diapers have in common?
When shopping in key states, you’ll typically be charged a 6% sales tax on all purchases (by far the most common rate in U.S. states). Some places add their own state sales tax to that—in Philadelphia, you’ll have to pay an additional 2% state sales tax.
However, the question of what is taxable and what is not is more complex. For example, pet cremation services are tax-exempt, but pet caskets are taxable. Sunscreen is tax-exempt, but sunscreen is taxable. Pumpkins are exempt from sales tax, but only if they are eaten and not used for decoration.
Here are hundreds of items in Pennsylvania that are not subject to sales tax, according to a list provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
In general, clothing is not taxed in Pennsylvania, but there are some exceptions, including formal wear, many types of fur (real and synthetic), sportswear, and professional sportswear (e.g., helmets, baseball gloves, etc.).
The general rule is that footwear for everyday use is duty-free. However, footwear for special occasions or specific sports (such as bowling or swimming shoes) is taxed.
The general principle of Pennsylvania’s tax law regarding craft and sewing supplies is that items that ultimately become part of everyday clothing (i.e., nontaxable items) are not taxable. However, equipment used for sewing may be taxable, as may any craft/sewing materials used to make items other than clothing.
Generally, CBD and hemp products are taxable unless they fall into another sales tax exemption category. Here are some examples of CBD products that are not taxable, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
Note: The department states that being on this list is not an indicator of a product’s “legality.” Pennsylvania’s rules and guidelines for CBD products have become somewhat confusing in recent years.
If you eat at a place that specializes in serving ready-to-eat food or drinks, such as a restaurant, cafe, food truck, amusement park, hotel, or stadium, you will have to pay sales tax on most items. Here are a few exceptions:
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), food sold at grocery stores, farmers markets, delicatessens, bakeries, and other places is generally tax-free. But there are some notable exceptions, such as soft drinks, sports drinks, flavored water, mints, sandwiches, and hot or prepared meals that don’t require additional preparation—you’ll have to pay regular sales tax on these items.
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Asha Prihar is a general affairs reporter for Billy Penn. She previously wrote for several daily newspapers in the Midwest and covered Pennsylvania government and politics for The… More articles by Asha Prihar