Lansing Sun

Families might be able to save money when shopping for school supplies, as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) called for a suspension of sales tax on those items. 

The proposal is included in the MI Back to School Plan, according to a press release from the governor's office. The plan builds on the bipartisan education budget that she signed in July.

"As families gear up for the school year, they should be able to get what they need without spending too much money out of pocket," Whitmer said. "That's why I'm putting forward the MI Back to School Plan, which includes a proposal to temporarily suspend the sales tax on school supplies. Getting this done would lower costs for parents, teachers, and students right now, and ensure that they have the resources to succeed. I will work with anyone to lower costs, cut taxes, and help our kids thrive. Last month, I signed a bipartisan education budget — my fourth — which made the highest state per-student funding in Michigan history. We should build on this progress as we get ready for the next school year by enacting the MI Back to School Plan."

The proposed sales tax suspension would help parents and teachers save on school supplies, including paper, pencils, and computers, the press release noted. 

Alex Bohr, a fourth-grade teacher at Gull Lake Community Schools, said he spends $500 annually on classroom-related expenses.

"On top of school supplies, many of us also buy snacks for students whose families aren't able to send snacks from home, so the kids can have something to eat during the day outside of lunch," he said. "All of these costs accumulate and can become a substantial financial burden, both for educators and parents. Gov. Whitmer's proposal for a school sales tax holiday will help educators and families keep a little extra money in our wallets, so we can afford other basic necessities."

Michigan would join 19 states that already have a school-related tax holiday in place for items including clothing and backpacks, according to the press release. A Deloitte report found that families will spend approximately $661 per child on school supplies this year, compared to $612 last year.  

"I am extremely grateful to Gov. Whitmer for her leadership to help our kids succeed in the classroom," Kristen Bruley, a parent in Allen Park, said. "I'm a mom of two kids and elementary school students, and back-to-school costs add up when you're raising them on one income. A tax suspension would help keep costs down and help parents get their kids more of what they need."