South Carolina – South Carolina shoppers will once again be able to avoid paying state and local sales taxes during the state’s annual Tax Free Weekend, which is scheduled to take place from Friday, August 1, to Sunday, August 3, 2025. The three-day event happens just in time for back-to-school season. It lets people buy a variety of things, from school supplies to clothes, without having to pay the normal 6% state sales tax or any extra local taxes.
The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) wants families, students, and teachers to make the most of the opportunity to save money. A lot of things can be free from the tax, such as notebooks, calculators, and even musical instruments. Computers and other important tech tools, such printers and software, are also qualified. Shoppers should keep in mind that individual accessories like keyboards or monitors only count when they are sold as part of a full computer package.
Clothes and shoes, from school uniforms to sports gear to swimsuits, will also not be taxed this weekend. Some things for the bed and bath, like sheets, pillows, and towels, can also be purchased. Things can be new or old, and there is no price limit. Shoppers may read Revenue Ruling #19-4 and Information Letter #25-15 on the SCDOR website to see a full list of what is and isn’t covered.
All stores in the state must take part automatically, and they can’t charge Sales Tax on eligible items during the holiday. Families who like to shop from home will find it easier to do so because they may also buy things online and pick them up at the curbside from South Carolina stores.
During the holiday season last year, people in South Carolina spent more than $22.3 million on things that were not subject to sales tax. This saved them more than $1.3 million in taxes. Officials think that this year’s numbers will be just as good, if not better. This is because more people are aware of the matter and customers are trying to make every dollar go as far as possible.
Teachers in the state can save even more money. The Classroom instructors Expenses Credit is available to public and private school instructors who are not qualified for county reimbursement programs. The credit lets them deduct up to $400 for educational supplies bought after July 1. Also, the federal educator expense deduction might save you up to $300 on supplies that aren’t reimbursed. Teachers should keep their receipts to make things easier when it’s time to file taxes.
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People can go to the official SCDOR Tax Free Weekend website at dor.sc.gov/taxfreeweekend to find out all the information they need, including shopping tips and retailer resources like social media graphics and FAQs. Shoppers and businesses alike are invited to join the statewide conversation online using the hashtag #SCtaxfree.
