SC’s tax-free weekend is coming up. Here’s what you can buy – and what’s not included
South Carolina’s tax-free weekend holiday is upon us and is one of the best times of the year to save money for back-to-school items, among other household necessities.
The tax-free holiday has been a tradition since 2000 and runs from Aug. 6 to 8, beginning at 12:01 a.m. this Friday. Shoppers who purchase eligible items within the 72-hour period will bypass the state’s 6% sales tax, regardless of whether they are a state resident.
But before hitting the stores to fill those carts, shoppers should know which items are eligible for the tax break and which ones aren’t.
Eligible items include:
School supplies, including books, lunchboxes and calculators
Clothes
Face masks made of cloth
Clothing accessories, such as hats, scarves and handbags
Footwear
Computers
Printers and printing supplies
Earbuds
Flash drives
Musical instruments
Blankets
Bed sheets and comforter sets
Towels
Rugs
Pillows
Items excluded from the sales tax include:
Items on layaway or similarly deferred payments
Vehicle rentals
Gaming consoles
Smartphones
Toys
Bicycles
Phone chargers
Media players
Clothing and footwear rentals, such as bowling shoes or tuxedos
Mattresses and box springs
Jewelry
Eyewear
Sports equipment, such as helmets and pads
Watches
Note: There is no special exemption for food during the tax-free holiday, as unprepared foods are already exempt from state taxes but subject to some local taxes. Some forms of personal protective equipment are exempt from the sales tax if they meet the footwear and clothing exception.