Tax Free Weekend Nc

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.