August 1 , 2007

A Holiday from the Sales Tax

 This weekend provides an opportunity for shoppers to save money by avoiding the sales tax on many items.  You can take advantage of the state sales tax holiday from Friday, August 3 to Sunday, August 5.

During the sales tax holiday, retailers statewide will not charge sales tax on designated goods.  These items include clothing and school and art supplies priced $100 or less per item.  Computers priced less than $1,500 are also exempt.  This is the first time art supplies are included in the holiday.

This sales tax holiday is just one of the many ways the legislature is providing tax relief to Tennesseans this year. August is the time for back-to-school shopping and this holiday will provide tax savings to Tennessee families.

While the sales tax holiday is aimed at helping families with school-aged children, everyone can benefit.  Adult clothing, shoes and even bridal gowns are exempt from sales tax this upcoming weekend.

More information about the August sales tax holiday can be accessed online at  www.tennessee.gov/revenue/salestaxholiday/index.htm or questions may be asked by e-mail at salestaxholiday@state.tn.us. 

Consumers and retailers can call a designated hotline at (800) 342-1003, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for more information.  The hotline will also be available Saturday, August 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

During this legislative session the General Assembly also provided further tax relief by scheduling a second sales tax holiday to be held in 2008 over the Easter weekend, as well as permanently lowering the sales tax on food by a half-percent beginning on January 1, 2008. 

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