Tax-free weekend heralds back-to-school shopping

sales tax suspended Fri - Sun

By: Britt Combs | McDowell News
Published: August 06, 2009

Nothing says "back to school" in North Carolina more than the traditional "tax-free weekend" in August. The state sales tax will be suspended for many retail purchases beginning Friday, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

The tax-free weekend has become a shopping bonanza in the state since its inception in 2001. North Carolina is one of 16 states to suspend the sales tax to facilitate retail commerce, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators. It is especially popular before the traditional start of school and at the beginning of Christmas shopping season.

Exempt are clothing, footwear and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item; computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item.

Other items popular with back to school shoppers, such as clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets and furniture and "items used in trade or business" are not exempt, according to the state Department of Revenue. Normal sales tax on these items will apply.

Again this year, and for the 11th year running, local philanthropist Sandra Walker will be in her traditional spot Saturday in the Wal-Mart parking lot, encouraging folks to support Operation Backpack.

The McDowell County Schools will have a school bus on site, and shoppers are asked to buy a few more school supplies than their own children may need, in order to fill that bus with supplies for the county's neediest children.

"Last year we managed to supply almost 500 kids with school supplies through the community's support of Operation Backpack," said Walker.

Since the tradition began, retailers have come to rely on it for a big part of their business. Many area retailers have extended their regular business hours for the weekend.

Burke's Outlet will be open longer, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Manager Rachel Watford said the event was very successful last year.

Shoe Show will also be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, said manager Beth Silver, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

"Select merchandise in the store is 50 percent off this weekend," she said.

New this year, North Carolina will also have a tax-free weekend on so-called "energy star" products in November.

From Nov. 6 through 8, North Carolinians can buy energy-efficient appliances, from furnaces and room air conditioners to refrigerators and dishwashers, and pay no sales tax, according to a press release from the governor's office.

Tax-free weekend heralds back-to-school shopping

sales tax suspended Fri - Sun

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