Archived News

No taxes this weekend on back-to-school items

Time to go shopping — this weekend, Aug. 5 through Aug. 7, is the annual back-to-school tax free weekend.

Retailers searching for back-to-school items will be able to find clothing, shoes and school supplies (under $100 per item) tax free, as well as certain school instructional materials under $300 per item; computer systems and educational software for personal use that are under $3,500; computer accessories that are $250 or less per item; and sports and recreational equipment under $50 per item. Some new items have been added in the electronics field are exempt from taxes, too.

The three-day tax free weekend is typically one of the top sales periods for retailers throughout North Carolina and the other 17 states that offer this benefit to their shoppers. This year’s sales are predicted to reach $68.8 billion nationally.

“During these challenging economic times, retailers understand that consumers are extremely focused on value and are taking this weekend to offer substantial savings on merchandise that parents will need for back to school,” said Fran Preston, president of the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.

Preston, drawing on data from the past seven years, believes that North Carolina can expect to see heavy traffic and elevated sales.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.