Georgia doesn’t have a tax free weekend for new school supplies like other states. Here’s why

Chelsea Madden
·2 min read

Summer is coming to a close and school is almost here. With that comes searching for the best deals for back to school shopping.

Several states like Florida, Alabama and Mississippi offer a tax-free weekend to help save some dough when filling up your cart. However, Georgia does not offer this incentive for residents anymore. Here’s what we know:

Why doesn’t Georgia have a tax free weekend anymore?

It was a yearly tradition for many families in Georgia and an opportunity to save big on school supplies, electronics and clothing for the new school year. So, why did Georgia lawmakers discontinue the tax-free weekend after 2016?

According to a 2011 report by Georgia State University, the tax-free weekend actually cost the state between $36 and $50 million in lost tax revenue.

Another reason lawmakers decided to not approve the tax-free weekend after 2016 is because the holiday, contrary to popular belief, did not have a huge influence on additional spending, nor did it create more jobs across the state.

Although the Peach State doesn’t have a tax-free weekend anymore, there are still ways to save money this back-to-school season.

Where can I get the best deals for back to school?

If you want to take a little road trip, you can travel to a nearby state to save some cash for tax-free weekend:

  • Florida’s tax-free holiday starts July 29 and ends Aug. 11. Eligible items and maximum costs include: school supplies at $50; clothing, footwear and accessories at $100; computers and accessories at $1,500; and learning aids at $30.

  • Alabama’s tax-free holiday starts July 19 and ends July 21. Items and costs include: clothing at $100 maximum; computers at $750; school supplies at $50; and books at $30.

  • Tennessee’s tax-free holiday is July 26-28th. Items and maximum costs include: clothing at $100; school supplies at $100; and computers at $1,500.

If road trips aren’t your thing, you can still save big by scrounging through your local store ads and searching for the best deals:

  • Walmart currently has deals on computers, supplies, book bags and clothing.

  • Target has deals on school supplies for kids and college students as well as office supplies for teachers.

  • Staples has notebooks starting at 35 cents, pencils for 50 cents, backpacks for $20, calculators for $119 and more.

Have any questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

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