South Carolina shoppers can now buy back-to-school supplies without paying sales tax

SOUTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for back-to-school shopping as South Carolina’s annual tax-free weekend begins on Friday, Aug. 2.

During this year’s tax-free weekend, also known as the sales tax holiday, a variety of purchases are exempt from the state’s 6% sales tax and any applicable local taxes.

Tax-free items range from clothing, accessories, and shoes to school supplies, backpacks, and computers. As long as an item is eligible, it is tax-free whether purchased in-store or online.​​

During last year’s tax-free weekend holiday, shoppers purchased more than $30.4 million in tax-free items, according to the South Carolina Department of Revenue.

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The exemption does not apply to: items for use in a trade or business; items placed on layaway or a similar deferred payment and delivery plan; clothing and footwear rentals; cosmetics; eyewear; furniture; and jewelry.

South Carolina’s tax-free weekend is a 72-hour event held each August. It begins at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and goes through the following Sunday.

For more information on exempt and nonexempt items, please click here.

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