Tax-free holiday could make back to school a bit cheaper

July 31, 2003

The tax-free shopping weekend begins today in South Carolina. Back-to-school supplies, among other things (some of them a bit puzzling) will be available for purchase without sales tax. Georgia, now in its second year of the sales-tax holiday, started its program Thursday. Both run through Sunday.

Clothing of all types, school supplies, computers and accessories are among the items shoppers can purchase in both states.

South Carolina specifically adds book bags, school organizers, hand-held PDAs and athletic uniforms to the shopping bags but oddly enough, will also offer the same deal on bridal gowns, antique clothing, waders and wetsuits and corsets and corset strings. We were unaware corsets and corset strings were still available. But by golly, you can buy them without sales tax this weekend if you can find them anywhere.

North Carolina followed our lead last year and does so again this weekend, with a bit more restriction. Its exemption is only for clothing, shoes and school supplies that are $100 or less per item. Sports equipment must be $50 or less, and computer equipment can’t exceed $3,500.

In South Carolina, the program has been softly criticized by Gov. Mark Sanford but it’s anybody’s guess whether he actually objects to the program or is just voicing that view because it came out of a previous administration. At any rate, other critics say it doesn’t make sense to eliminate sales tax, even for a weekend, with tax revenues already behind anticipated numbers.

But who among us has ever gone to a grocery or department or clothing store with one or two items on the list and not come out with five or six or more? It’s those point-of-purchase items that will get you every time. If we’re upgrading the computer, why not stock up on paper, and while we’re in the neighborhood, maybe pick out a new game for when homework is done (or Mom and Dad finally get a turn at the keyboard)? If a new suit is a good buy, we might buy a new piece of jewelry (taxed as usual) or cosmetics (also the norm) as a way to round out a new look.

The point is that it is only logical that few people will limit their purchases to items on the tax-free list. Stores in both states, particularly those with school supplies and wardrobes among their offerings should benefit from increased sales. Many are in fact anticipating bigger-than-usual crowds and putting on extra staff so there’s another advantage that isn’t readily apparent — more hours on the clock for employees.

Sadly, even though those wedding gowns can be purchased tax-free, tuxedo rentals will be full price. Personal flotation devices are also full price, as are wigs and costume rentals. Bobby pins (does anyone use those anymore?) and barrettes are on the list, but goggles and sunglasses will cost you the extra in tax.

Of course, there’s always the temptation to buy things we really don’t need just because there is a perceived bargain or they are displayed with imagination, but don’t we face that every time we shop for fruits and vegetables and have to go through the candy counter before we can pay for the healthy stuff?

Maybe it’s not a good idea to shop ‘til you drop, but taking advantage of the holidays in both states could help the family’s bottom line as well as those of local businesses.

Copyright 2003, Anderson Independent Mail. All Rights Reserved.