South Carolina’s tax-free weekend is coming up. What items are exempt, not exempt?

South Carolina’s Tax-Free Weekend, a 72-hour event during which a variety of purchases will be exempt from the state’s 6% sales tax and any applicable taxes, will begin on August 1 at 12:01 a.m.

The event will run through August 3, giving resident shoppers plenty of time to snag items on a deal.

However, before you head to the stores, it’s essential to know which items are exempt from sales and use tax during this time window.

Read on to learn what items are exempt and what are not.

What general items are exempt during the event?

• Art supplies for school
• Athletic uniforms
• Backpacks
• Bedding
• Blankets
• Coats and jackets
• Clothing
• Computers
• Computer parts and accessories, when sold as a package with a computer
• Diapers
• Earbuds and headphones
• Flash drives
• Gloves and mittens
• Musical instruments for school
• Pillows
• Printers and printer supplies
• Purses and handbags
• School supplies
• Shoes and footwear
• Sleepwear
• Socks and underwear
• Towels
• Uniforms (band, scouts, school, sports)

What general items are not exempt?

• Briefcases and wallets
• Cameras
• Cell phones and smartphones
• Cleaning supplies
• Computers used in a business
• Cosmetics
• eReaders
• Furniture
• Glasses and contacts
• Jewelry
• Mattresses and box springs
• Office supplies
• Sports equipment (baseball mitts, helmets, life jackets and vests, mouth guards, pads, etc.)
• Video game consoles

What bed and bath items are exempt?

• Bath mats and rugs
• Bed skirts and dust ruffles
• Bedspreads, duvets, and comforters
• Blankets and throws
• Mattress pads and toppers
• Pillow cases and shams
• Pillows (all types)
• Sheets and sheet sets
• Shower curtains and liners
• Towels (all types and sizes)
• Washcloths

What bed and bath items are not exempt?

• Bathroom accessories
• Cookware
• Furniture
• Hardware and tools
• Mattresses and box springs
• Paper towels
• Shower curtain hooks, rings, and rods
• Sleeping bags
• Stereo equipment
• Table cloths, placemats, napkins, and other table supplies
• Toilet paper
• Wastebaskets
• Window treatments

What school supplies are exempt?

• Art supplies
• Binders and folders
• Books
• Bookbags
• Calculators
• Daily planners or organizers
• Flashdrives
• Glue, tape, staplers, staples
• Headphones and earbuds
• Highlighters and markers
• Lunch boxes
• Musical instruments
• Notebooks and paper
• Pencils, sharpeners, erasers
• Pens
• Scissors
• Uniforms (band, scouts, school, sports)

What school supplies are not exempt?

• Cleaning supplies
• Glasses
• Hobby equipment, supplies, and toys
• Office supplies
• Paper products that are not school supplies (tissues, paper towels)
• Any of the above items not used for school assignments

What types of clothing and accessories are exempt?

• Belts and suspenders
• Hair accessories
• Hats and caps
• Purses and handbags
• Neckties and bow ties
• Exercise clothing
• Athletic uniforms
• Leotards and tights
• Hunting and ski clothing
• Swimwear
• Dresses and skirts
• Leggings, pants, jeans, and shorts
• Shirts and blouses
• Sleepwear
• Socks and underwear
• Suits and blazers
• Sweaters and sweatshirts
• Cleats
• Dance shoes
• Rain boots
• Orthopedic shoes
• Skates
• Slippers
• Coats (all types)
• Earmuffs
• Gloves and mittens
• Rainwear (raincoats, umbrellas, etc.)
• Scarves
• Vests
• Aprons
• Bibs
• Bridal gowns and veils
• Costumes
• Diapers
• Formal wear (gowns, tuxedos, etc.)
• Graduation caps and gowns
• Uniforms (band, scouts, school, sports)

What types of clothing and accessories are not exempt?

• Backpacks not used for school
• Briefcases
• Change purses and wallets
• Cosmetics
• Glasses and sunglasses
• Jewelry
• Protective and safety masks and goggles (athletic, sport, or for work)
• Safety equipment
• Sports equipment (baseball mitts, helmets, life jackets and vests, mouth guards, pads, etc.)
• Watches and bands

What computers and technology are exempt?

• Computers
• Computer parts and accessories (monitors, keyboards, and scanners), when sold as a package with a computer
• Computer software and service contracts (sold with software)
• Printers
• Printer supplies, including replaceable ink cartridges

What computers and technology are not exempt?

• Cameras
• Cell phones and smartphones
• eReaders
• Music and video players
• Replacement parts
• Video game consoles

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com