Tax free weekend starts August 6

You can purchase computers, clothes, school supplies, and a variety of other items free of Sales Tax during South Carolina’s annual 72-hour Sales Tax Holiday August 6 – 8.

Eligible items can be bought online and in-store without paying the state’s 6 percent Sales Tax and any applicable local taxes during South Carolina’s Tax Free Weekend.

“Tax Free Weekend is a great way for South Carolina shoppers to save money, and it’s also a great way to demonstrate our support of South Carolina businesses who have struggled this past year,” SCDOR Director Hartley Powell said.

Tax-free items include computers, printers, school supplies, clothing and accessories, footwear, and certain bed and bath items. These tax-free items can be new or used and are eligible regardless of price. Cloth masks are tax-free during the Sales Tax Holiday since they are considered clothing accessories.

Items that are not tax-free during the Sales Tax Holiday include digital cameras, smartphones, jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, watches, furniture, rental clothing or footwear, and items for use in a trade or business.

Last year, South Carolina shoppers bought more than $18.1 million in tax-free items during the Sales Tax Holiday.

Tips for Sales Tax Holiday shopping:

• Online purchases of eligible items are tax-free too. Find cybersecurity tips at dor.sc.gov/securitycenter.
• Check with your local retailer for online shopping, delivery, or curbside pick-up options.
• Get the details and start planning your Tax Free Weekend by visiting dor.sc.gov/taxfreeweekend for shopping lists and FAQs.
Information for Retailers
• All retailers who sell eligible items participate in the Sales Tax Holiday and may not collect Sales Tax from their customers on eligible purchases.
• A retailer toolkit with social media graphics, posts, and FAQs is available at dor.sc.gov/retailer-toolkit.
• Sales of eligible tax-free items during the Sales Tax Holiday should be reported and taken as a deduction on a retailer’s August Sales Tax return. Retailers can file and pay Sales Tax and manage all of their South Carolina tax accounts online using our free tax portal, MyDORWAY.
• Review Revenue Ruling #19-4 for FAQs and Information Letter #21-17 for a list of exempt and non-exempt items.