Sales Tax Free Weekend Is August 5-7

Don’t miss your chance to save this coming weekend.
Computers, clothes, school supplies, and a variety of other items can be purchased free of Sales Tax during South Carolina’s annual 72-hour Sales Tax Holiday. The 2022 Tax Free Weekend takes place Friday, August 5, through Sunday, August 7.
The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) reminds shoppers that eligible items can be purchased online and in-store without paying the state’s 6% Sales Tax and any applicable local taxes during South Carolina’s Tax Free Weekend.
Tax-free items include computers, printers, school supplies, clothing and accessories, shoes, and certain bed and bath items.
These tax-free items can be new or used and are eligible regardless of price.
Items that are not tax-free during the Sales Tax Holiday include digital cameras, smartphones, jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, watches, and furniture.
For a detailed list of tax-free items, shopping lists, and FAQs, visit dor.sc.gov/taxfreeweekend.
Last year, South Carolina shoppers bought more than $24.5 million in tax-free items during the Sales Tax Holiday.

Information for Retailers
• All retailers who sell eligible items participate in the Sales Tax Holiday and cannot collect Sales Tax from their customers on eligible purchases.
• A retailer toolkit with social media graphics, posts, and FAQs is available at dor.sc.gov/retailer-toolkit.
• Sales of eligible tax-free items during the Sales Tax Holiday should be reported and taken as a deduction on a retailer’s August Sales Tax return (return that is due in September). Retailers can file and pay Sales Tax and manage all of their South Carolina tax accounts online using our free tax portal, MyDORWAY.
• Review Revenue Ruling #19-4 for FAQs and Information Letter #22-10 for a list of exempt and non-exempt items.

Shopping Advice From
Consumer Affairs
Consumers may be thinking about back-to-school shopping as summer ends and the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) wants to make sure you get your money’s worth! Tax-free weekend is August 5-7, 2022 and is a great time to buy those school essentials while saving money. SCDCA encourages consumers to go into the shopping weekend with a plan involving these tips:
• Be on-guard as you shop online. Shopping online is convenient but there are plenty of scammers surfing the web waiting for you to let your guard down. SCDCA released a Cybersecurity Basics flyer that helps consumers safely use digital devices and the internet.
• Decide your payment method. When shopping in a store, pay with cash if you have trouble sticking to a budget. If you prefer shopping online, a credit card offers more consumer fraud protections than a debit card. Some credit card companies now offer virtual credit card numbers that are one-time use, adding another layer of security as you shop online.
• Review financial statements. The more often you use your credit and debit cards while shopping, the more opportunities for a thief to intercept your information. Read your financial statements during the tax-free weekend and beyond, ensuring there are no errors or fraudulent charges. If there are, dispute them immediately.
• Know the return policy. Review return and exchange policies so you know before you go. Don’t see it in store? Ask, especially if you are purchasing items that often have a restocking fee, like computers.
• Make a list and stick to it. Review the Department of Revenue’s (SCDOR) website for a general list of items that are tax exempt as well as ones that are not. A list will help save time and avoid impulse buying and overspending. For more tips on shopping and overspending, read SCDCA’s Shopping spotlight.
During Sales Tax-Free Weekend, a variety of purchases will not be charged the regular SC state 6% Sales Tax and any applicable local taxes. Purchases include clothing, accessories, shoes, school supplies, backpacks, and computers. If an item is eligible, it is tax-free whether purchased in-store or online. Consumers with questions about sales tax-free weekend should visit the SCDOR website.
For more consumer tips, or to get assistance if you find suspicious charges or errors on your accounts, visit consumer.sc.gov or call SCDCA toll-free in SC at 1 (800) 922-1594.

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