A Parent’s Guide to Tax-Free Weekend in South Carolina

By: Children's Trust of South Carolina

It’s almost time to celebrate Tax Free Weekend in South Carolina from Aug. 2 to Aug. 4. The annual 72-hour event allows shoppers to purchase eligible items exempt from the state's 6% sales tax and any applicable local taxes in-store and online.

Whether you’re looking to buy your kids back-to-school essentials or upgrade your wardrobe, here are a few things parents should know.

What items are tax-exempt?

The list includes computers, printers, school supplies, clothing and accessories, shoes, diapers, and certain bed and bath items. Eligible items can be new or used.

Books and musical instruments are also exempt, provided they are used for school assignments. Remember that while computers are exempt, computer supplies, such as computer monitors, keyboards or mice sold by themselves, are still taxable. These items are only exempt if they are used for school assignments and can be considered a school supply or if they are purchased in a package with the computer itself.

If you sew your clothes, you’ll be interested to know that the tax holiday exemption applies to purchases of fabric and sewing supplies used to sew eligible clothing or bedding.

Check out official shopping lists of exempt and non-exempt items.

What items are not exempt?

Items that are still taxable during the holiday include smartphones, digital cameras, computer accessories not sold as a package with a computer, jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, watches, and furniture.

The exemption does not apply to items placed on layaway or a similar deferred payment plan, or clothing and footwear rentals.

The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and goes until 12:59 p.m. on Sunday.

Last year, South Carolina shoppers purchased more than $30.4 million in tax-free items during Tax Free Weekend, according to the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR).

The Palmetto State has celebrated the holiday since it was first created by the South Carolina Legislature in 2000.

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