News Summary
South Carolina’s Annual Tax Free Weekend is set for early August, allowing shoppers to buy essential back-to-school items without sales tax. This event, which waives the 6% sales tax on a variety of items like clothing, school supplies, and computers, can provide significant savings for families. The tax holiday will benefit both in-store and online shoppers and aims to assist parents preparing their children for school. Historical data shows a substantial impact on local spending and economic conditions during this weekend.
South Carolina’s Annual Tax Free Weekend Returns August 1-3, 2025
Columbia, SC – South Carolina’s highly anticipated Annual Tax Free Weekend will take place from August 1 through August 3, 2025. This event enables shoppers to purchase essential back-to-school items without paying sales tax, benefiting families preparing for the upcoming school year.
During this weekend, buyers can enjoy savings on a variety of items including school supplies, clothing, shoes, and even computers. The state’s sales tax holiday waives the 6% state sales tax along with applicable local taxes, providing a significant financial break for consumers
Details of the Tax Holiday
The South Carolina Department of Revenue notes that the tax exemption applies to most items classified under eligible categories. However, the 6% sales tax is still applicable in three specific counties: Beaufort, Greenville, and Oconee. In contrast, counties such as Charleston and Myrtle Beach experience a total sales tax of 9%, making the savings even more essential for local shoppers.
This tax holiday permits online sales of eligible items, extending the benefits to those who prefer to shop from home. The holiday lasts for a total of 72 hours, commencing at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday of August and concluding at midnight on Sunday.
What’s Included and Excluded
During the tax-free weekend, a wide range of items will not incur any sales tax. Notable non-taxable items include:
- All types of clothing
- Certain bed and bath items such as bed spreads, sheets, pillows, towels, and shower curtains
- Musical instruments
- Calculators
- Headphones
- Printers
- Computers
- Computer software
Conversely, taxable items that will not qualify for the sales tax exemption include cellphones, digital cameras, and video game consoles.
Historical Spending Trends
Last year’s (2024) Tax Free Weekend drew considerable attention, with shoppers spending over $22.3 million on tax-free items. This amount translated into savings of more than $1.3 million in taxes for consumers, demonstrating the tangible economic impact of this event on residents and local businesses alike.
Implications for Retailers and Shoppers
The tax holiday is primarily designed to assist parents as they shop for essential back-to-school supplies. Notably, this year, 25% of South Carolina’s 72 public school districts will have already resumed classes before the commencement of the tax holiday, emphasizing its importance for those in a hurry to prepare their children for school.
Many retailers in the region are expected to roll out additional promotions and discounts during this weekend, further incentivizing customers to make purchases. The South Carolina Retail Association regards the tax holiday as beneficial not only for consumers but also for the retail market and the broader economy, comparing the sales volume to that experienced on Black Friday.
To learn more about the Tax Free Weekend and more detailed information on eligible items, shoppers can visit the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s official website.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Community Remembers Beloved Residents of Beaufort
South Carolina’s Annual Tax-Free Weekend Offers Big Savings
Beaufort Memorial Pulmonary Specialists Welcomes New Doctor
Additional Resources
- South Carolina Daily Gazette
- Greenville Online
- Your Island News
- Kiplinger
- Post and Courier
- Wikipedia: Sales Tax Holiday
- Google Search: South Carolina Sales Tax Holiday
- Google Scholar: Sales Tax Holiday
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sales Tax Holiday
- Google News: South Carolina Tax Free Weekend
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
