Tennessee’s third annual August Sales Tax Holiday, which
gives back-to-school shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain clothing,
school and art supplies, and computers free of Tennessee sales tax, will begin
on Friday, August 1.
“Getting ready to go back to school is a busy, important
time for families to prepare their children for success,” said Governor Phil
Bredesen. “This Sales Tax Holiday is an opportunity for families to enjoy
savings on those items that kids need to be ready for a successful school
year.”
The long weekend of savings begins at 12:01 a.m. on
Friday, August 1 and ends on Sunday, August 3, at 11:59 p.m. The state’s
dedicated Sales Tax Holiday Web site, www.tntaxholiday.com,
has been updated with new materials, including information about exempt items,
frequently asked questions and more.
During the designated three-day weekend, consumers may
purchase select clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art
supplies with a price of $100 or less per item, and computers with a price of
$1,500 or less without paying Tennessee’s state and local sales tax on the
items. The tax holiday also includes purchases of qualified items sold via
mail, telephone, e-mail or Internet if the customer orders and pays for the
item and the retailer accepts the order during the exemption period for
immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.
“During the 2008 August Sales Tax Holiday, Tennesseans can
purchase qualified items free of sales tax as they prepare for the upcoming
school year,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “This annual Sales Tax
Holiday, which Governor Bredesen established in 2005, has provided an excellent
tax savings opportunity for all Tennessee shoppers and we are pleased to help
further his tax-saving initiative.”
Please visit the Sales Tax Holiday Web site at www.tntaxholiday.com
to learn more about the items exempt from sales tax. The Tennessee Department
of Revenue also offers assistance to consumers via e-mail, Salestax.Holiday@state.tn.us,
and through its toll-free statewide telephone hot line, (800) 342-1003.
Staff is available to answer questions Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Central Time. (Out-of-state and Nashville-area callers, please dial (615)
253-0600.)
Examples of exempt items include:
·
Clothing: Shirts, dresses, pants, coats,
gloves and mittens, hats and caps, hosiery, neckties, belts, sneakers, shoes,
uniforms whether athletic or non-athletic and scarves
·
School
Supplies:
Binders, book bags, calculators, tape, chalk, crayons, erasers, folders, glue,
pens, pencils, lunch boxes, notebooks, paper, rulers and scissors
·
Art
Supplies:
Clay and glazes; acrylic, tempera and oil paints; paintbrushes for artwork;
sketch and drawing pads; and watercolors
·
Computers: Central processing unit (CPU),
along with various other components including monitor, keyboard, mouse, cables
to connect components and preloaded software (Note: While the CPU may
be purchased separately, other items must be part of a bundled computer package
in order to be eligible.)
The Sales Tax Holiday is an ideal way to prepare your
children for a successful school year, but school supplies are not all that is
needed. Ensure a healthy school year for your children by enrolling them in
CoverKids, Tennessee’s free health insurance program for children 18 and under.
Please visit www.covertn.gov to
learn more or enroll.