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Need new appliances? Buy them tax-free in Maryland this weekend

During Shop Maryland Energy Weekend Feb. 14-16, you won’t pay the state’s 6% sales tax on energy efficient products with the Energy Star logo.

Qualifying items include air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, solar water heaters, dehumidifiers, and more.

Even some lightbulbs qualify. You can skip the sales tax on compact fluorescent ones.

You can make your purchase in person or online, but you’ll only get the deal online if your order is filled and you are charged during the three day holiday.

If the item you want is backordered and you’re not charged until it ships, you’re out of luck if the shipping day is after Feb. 16.

If 6% doesn’t sound like a lot, think about this: If a refrigerator you’re buying costs $1,500, you’ll save $90.

According to the state comptroller’s office, it’s estimated that Maryland loses more than $800,000 in tax revenue during the sales tax holiday, but consumers get long-term benefits in the form of lower utility bills.

Shein faces EU investigation over illegal products and addictive design features

LONDON (AP) — European Union regulators are investigating Shein over concerns the online retailer hasn't done enough to limit the sale of illegal products or protect users from the platform's allegedly addictive design. The 27-nation bloc's executive arm said Tuesday that it opened formal investigation under the bloc's sweeping rulebook known as the Digital Services Act, which requires the biggest online platforms to take extra steps to protect internet users from dodgy products. Shein may be required to alter its actions, or pay a hefty fine if a so-called non-compliance decision is reached following an in-depth investigation, the European Commission said. One area its investigation is focusing on is whether Shein has the proper safeguards in place to limit the sale of products that are illegal in the EU, the commission said, including items that amount to child sexual abuse material such as "child-like sex dolls."
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