With back-to-school shopping season in full swing, shoppers in South Carolina are eagerly awaiting Tax-Free Weekend 2023. This annual event lets residents and visitors alike enjoy a brief reprieve from the burden of sales taxes and make the most of their back-to-school budgets. To help you plan, we’ve got the details of South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend 2023, including its dates, inclusions and exclusions, so you can prepare to take full advantage.
Don’t live in South Carolina? See if your state has a tax-free shopping weekend in 2023.
When is South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend 2023?
The South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend 2023 takes place from Friday, Aug. 4, to Sunday, Aug. 6. These three days mark a prime time for back-to-school shopping, as parents and students gear up for the upcoming academic year. The timing is ideal for snagging great deals on essential school supplies and clothing while saving on sales taxes. And, even if you’re not heading back to school, you can take advantage of the savings.
What is South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend?
South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend is an annual event during which the state suspends the collection of sales and use taxes on certain qualifying items. It was established to provide financial relief for families and individuals purchasing back-to-school supplies and clothing. The initiative encourages consumer spending while giving a boost to the retail industry.
During this brief tax holiday, shoppers have the chance to purchase eligible items without the additional burden of the state’s usual 6% sales tax. This can lead to substantial savings, especially for families with multiple children or individuals on a tight budget. Not going back to school yourself? You can still cash in on tax-free shopping.
What’s Included in South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend?
All tax-free weekends (except for some really really flexible ones — we’re looking at you, Massachusetts) specific lists of items that are included. These are the items you can buy tax free in SC (see a full list):
- School Supplies: A wide range of school-related supplies are eligible for tax exemption. This includes items like pens, pencils, notebooks, binders, backpacks, calculators, markers and more. Whether you’re a student or a teacher, this is the perfect time to stock up on essential classroom tools.
- Clothing and Footwear: Tax-Free Weekend in SC also covers a variety of clothing and footwear items. From shirts, pants, dresses and skirts, to shoes, socks and undergarments, shoppers can update their wardrobes without having to worry about paying extra taxes.
- Computers and Software: For tech-savvy shoppers, this year’s tax holiday offers a chance to purchase computers, laptops, tablets and related tech accessories like printers and keyboards without the added sales tax. Additionally, selected software and educational computer programs are also included in the exemption.
- Bed and Bath Items: Here’s a unique category other states don’t include: South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend extends its benefits to include certain bedding and bath items. This includes bedsheets, towels, shower curtains and more, providing an opportunity to refresh your living space without incurring extra costs. This is especially great for back-to-college shoppers. There are tons of dorm bedding sales going on right now, so tax-free weekend lets you stack the savings.
What’s unique (and awesome) about South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend is that there are no upper price limits on any of the items. So you truly can load up your cart and save without limits.
What’s Not included in South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend?
While Tax-Free Weekend in South Carolina encompasses a wide array of products, it’s essential to be aware of the items that do not qualify for tax exemption:
- Jewelry and Accessories: Items such as watches, jewelry, handbags, and wallets are not eligible for the clothing tax exemption during the event.
- Certain Electronics: While computers and software are covered, other electronics such as cameras, gaming consoles and e-readers are still taxable.
- Sporting Apparel: Sports enthusiasts should note that items like baseball mitts, helmets and life jackets are still taxable.
Is South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend Online?
Yes. If your shipping address is in South Carolina, you’ll see the sales tax deducted at checkout during tax-free weekend. If the seller is located in a different time zone, the current time in South Carolina determines whether you’re shopping during the sales tax holiday.
The fact that online purchases are eligible for Tax-Free Weekend South Carolina is that you can take advantage of cash-back shopping offers.
The post South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend 2023: Your Ultimate Shopping Guide appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
