At 12:01 Friday morning, North Carolina’s tax-free weekend began, and for many High Country residents, it’s time to stock up on supplies before classes start next Wednesday. A number of businesses are promoting their offerings for the tax holiday, which includes no tax on many items parents are seeking for school.
Items that will be exempt from sales tax this weekend include:
-clothing and footwear that are $100 or less per item;
- school instructional materials (reference books, textbooks, globes) of $300 or less per item
-sports and recreational equipment of $50 or less per item;
-computers that are $3,500 or less;
-computer supplies (handheld electronic schedulers, printers, printer paper and ink, etc) of $250 or less per item; and
-tablet computers and netbooks of $3,500 or less.
Although they are similar to tablets and netbooks, eReaders do not fall under the sales tax exemption, according to the N.C. Department of Revenue. Also exempt are clothing accessories and equipment, furniture, and items used in a trade or business and rentals. In addition to traditional items like bookbags and protractors, more unusual items covered under the law include aprons, baby blankets and diapers, formal wear, goggles, life preservers, clay and glazes, tape, reference books and globes.
The tax holiday ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5.