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Sales tax holiday is this weekend
By Samantha Blanton
North Carolina’s fifth annual “tax free holiday” will be held this weekend, Aug. 4-6.
The holiday was created by the N.C. General Assembly to help ease consumers back-to-school shopping expenses when the sales tax rate was increased to seven percent in 2001.
“Now in its fifth year, retailers and their employees are well-prepared for shoppers when the sales tax holiday comes around in time for back-to-school shopping,” said N.C. Retail Merchants Association President Fran Preston.
“Retailers are planning special sales to coincide with the three-day holiday so not only will shoppers save on the sales tax they normally pay, but will also have a wide variety of special retail pricing as they prepare for back to school,” Preston said.
Items included in the holiday are clothing with a sales price of less than $100, sports and recreation equipment less than $50, computers less than $3,500 per item, computer supplies less than $250, and school supplies less than $100 per item.
One change for 2006 is the taxing of computer parts. When sold connected to a central processing unit, the entire purchase is not taxed. Individual purchases, such as a keyboard or mouse, will be taxed.
“It is going to be a big three days,” Wal-Mart Manager Pete Newbold said. “We aren’t planning any special sales, but it should still be big.
“We are trying to get more help to work,” he said. “Everything from clothing to shoes and computers will be on sale, not just school supplies.”
“We are anticipating a bigger crowd than last year,” Goody’s manager Connie Sutton said.
“We will be having special sales all weekend; everything in the store should be tax free,” she said. “It is a great opportunity for parents to get kids ready for back-to-school. You can save more, and it really makes a difference. We will be having lots of specials.”
Country Road Farms Tack and Western Store owner Charmin Hall said they will be having a special Carhart 20 percent off sale in addition to the sales tax holiday. Other items, such as boots and jeans will also be on sale.
“We anticipate the weekend to be a trouble-free and smooth shopping experience for consumers,” Preston said.
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