Save Almost 10 Percent During This Weekends Sales Tax Holiday

Monday, July 28, 2008 | 07:00pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The annual Sales Tax Holiday begins this Friday, providing timely savings to Tennesseans who are experiencing the effects of a slowing national economy here in the state. Shoppers can save almost 10 percent on tax-free clothing, school and art supplies and computer purchases.

The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 1 and ends on Sunday, August 3 at 11:59 p.m. During the designated three-day weekend, consumers may purchase select clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item, and computers with a price of $1,500 or less without paying Tennessee’s state and local sales tax. Visit www.tntaxholiday.com for more information on the holiday, including an audio news release available for download from Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr.

 

 

“Since 2007, Tennesseans have saved more than $8 million by purchasing tax-free items,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “We are hopeful that Tennessee shoppers will continue to save during this holiday while generating business for our retailers.”

The average family will spend nearly $600 on back-to-school purchases, according to a National Retail Federation estimate. Although anyone can take advantage of the holiday, back-to-school shoppers looking to save money can save almost $50 on supplies by purchasing them during the holiday, equaling a significant portion of one visit to the gas pump.

Consumers can also save money by shopping at home and saving gas money. The holiday also includes purchases of qualified items sold via mail, telephone, e-mail or Internet if the customer orders and pays for the item and the retailer accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.

Please visit the Sales Tax Holiday Web site at www.tntaxholiday.com to learn more about the items exempt from sales tax. The Tennessee Department of Revenue also offers assistance to consumers via e-mail, Salestax.Holiday@state.tn.us, and through its toll-free statewide telephone hot line, (800) 342-1003. Staff is available to answer questions Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. (Out-of-state and Nashville-area callers, please dial (615) 253-0600.)

Examples of exempt items include:

  • Clothing: Shirts, dresses, pants, coats, gloves and mittens, hats and caps, hosiery, neckties, belts, sneakers, shoes, uniforms whether athletic or non-athletic and scarves

  • School Supplies: Binders, book bags, calculators, tape, chalk, crayons, erasers, folders, glue, pens, pencils, lunch boxes, notebooks, paper, rulers and scissors

  • Art Supplies: Clay and glazes; acrylic, tempera and oil paints; paintbrushes for artwork; sketch and drawing pads; and watercolors

  • Computers: Central processing unit (CPU), along with various other components including monitor, keyboard, mouse, cables to connect components and preloaded software (Note: While the CPU may be purchased separately, other items must be part of a bundled computer package in order to be eligible.)

The Sales Tax Holiday is an ideal way to prepare your children for a successful school year, but school supplies are not all that is needed. Ensure a healthy school year for your children by enrolling them in CoverKids, Tennessee’s free health insurance program for children 18 and under. Please visit www.covertn.gov to learn more or enroll.

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