Support Us Button Widget

A guide to South Carolina’s tax-free weekend

woman shopping

Shopping | Image via Pexels

Table of Contents

Mark your calendars: SC’s Sales Tax Free Weekend is returning this weekend. Held for 72 hours each August, Tax Free Weekend helps students (and parents) save on the back-to-school essentials ahead of the new year.

We’ve got all the details to make shopping an A+ experience this weekend.

When is it?

This year’s Sales Tax Holiday is Fri., Aug. 5 through Sun., Aug. 7.

Throughout the weekend, many school supplies + other items are exempt from the state’s 6% Sales Tax (and applicable local taxes) whether they are purchased in-store or online. Just be sure that the online purchase falls under the eligibility requirements for tax-exempt items.

So, what’s exempt?

Clothing, accessories, footwear, school supplies including computers, software, and printers — and certain bed + bath supplies are examples of tax-exempt items. View the full list.

School supplies are those that are used at home or in the classroom for assignments, such as pens + pencils, backpacks, calculators, and notebooks.

Local shopping suggestions

🛍 Clothing: Two Cumberland and M. Dumas and Sons

🛍️ Accessories: Brackish, The Tiny Tassel, and Half-Moon Outfitters

🛍️ Footwear: Shoes on King, Charleston Shoe Co., and Phillips Shoes

And what’s NOT exempt?

Cell phones, cosmetics, furniture, jewelry, wallets, watches + items put on layaway are examples of items that won’t be tax-free this weekend. This revenue ruling lists other non-exempt items.

Heads up, college students: Items like refrigerators and toiletries are not exempt. Neither are those items purchased for office or business use.

Can anyone take advantage of these deals?

While parents + students often find great back-to-school deals, anyone can buy items that qualify and save.

In case we missed anything, check out these frequently asked questions. Happy shopping, Holy City.

More from CHStoday
These holiday pop-up bars will get you in the festive mood.
Electric cooperatives serve nearly two million South Carolinians and maintain more than 78,000 miles of power lines across the state.
Newsletter Editor Callie shares her favorite bites from Chef Daniel Humm x The Charleston Place, a year-long pop-up restaurant at the iconic downtown hotel.
Woodhouse Spa now offers its elevated self-care services at its newest location inside the historic Wentworth Mansion.
Boeing’s new expansion project will support 1,000+ new jobs and more than $1 billion in investments.
From first jobs to sports, to volunteer service clubs and plays, this pair of friends did everything together.
We’re on a mission to find the best collard greens in Charleston, and we need your help.
This Veterans Day you may consider supporting one of the several veteran-focused organizations in the Lowcountry that work all year to support veterans.
Over the next 10 days, we’re launching a reader-driven campaign to sustain what we do best.
Newsletter Callie says you can’t miss the opportunity to learn from local chefs during the seminars and demos at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Charleston.