News Summary
South Carolina’s Tax-Free Weekend is set for August 1 to 3, providing families a chance to buy essential back-to-school items without sales tax. Eligible items include school supplies, clothing, and electronics. Walmart in Irmo enhances the shopping experience by allowing teachers to upload supply lists. Last year, shoppers saved millions during the event, showcasing its importance for families preparing for the upcoming school year.
Columbia, South Carolina – South Carolina is gearing up for its annual Tax-Free Weekend, which will take place from August 1 to August 3, 2025. This event provides an opportunity for parents and students to purchase essential back-to-school items without having to pay the state’s 6% sales tax, along with any applicable local taxes.
The Tax-Free Weekend allows residents to save money on a variety of items crucial for the upcoming school year. Eligible purchases include school supplies, backpacks, computers, clothing, and shoes. Shoppers can benefit from this tax exemption both in-store and online, making it easier for families to find what they need.
However, not all items are covered by this tax-free opportunity. Purchases of cell phones, cosmetics, jewelry, cleaning supplies, sports equipment, and paper products like toilet paper will not be eligible for tax exemption during this weekend.
To further assist local families, Walmart in Irmo is enhancing the shopping experience by allowing teachers to upload their supply lists directly to the store’s website. Parents can easily find the required items by entering their zip code, streamlining the often overwhelming back-to-school shopping process.
Walmart is also reducing prices on the top 14 most popular school supplies, bringing prices to a six-year low in anticipation of the tax-free event. This initiative aims to maximize value for shoppers during this significant shopping weekend.
In 2024, South Carolina shoppers took full advantage of the Tax-Free Weekend, spending over $30 million on eligible items. This resulted in more than $1.8 million saved in sales tax. Additionally, the previous year saw over $22.3 million in tax-free items sold, leading to savings of $1.3 million in sales tax, demonstrating a growing trend of participation among families.
The Tax-Free Weekend is mandated by the South Carolina Department of Revenue, which specifies that the event must commence on the first Friday of August and last for 72 hours. A comprehensive list of items eligible for the tax exemption, as well as those that are not, is available on the SC Department of Revenue’s website.
Eligible items typically include computers, printers, school supplies, clothing and accessories, shoes, and selected bed and bath items. Interestingly, both new and used items qualify for tax exemption, regardless of their price, which is beneficial for families seeking budget-friendly options during the shopping spree.
As families prepare for another school year, the Tax-Free Weekend serves as a timely opportunity to lessen the financial burden of back-to-school shopping in South Carolina.
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Additional Resources
- ABC Columbia: School Supply List & Tax-Free Weekend
- Wikipedia: Tax-Free Weekends
- Cola Daily: Tax-Free Deals in the Midlands
- Google Search: South Carolina Tax Free Weekend
- WIS TV: SC Tax-Free Weekend Details
- Google Scholar: Sales Tax Exemption Weekends
- WLTX: Events in Columbia and Lexington
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sales Tax
- WRDW: Changes to SC Drivers Licenses
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
The IRMO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIrmo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Irmo, Lexington and Richland Counties, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Irmo Okra Strut Festival, Harbison Community Events, and local sports tournaments at the Palmetto Health Credit Union Foundation Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, plus leading businesses in retail and healthcare that power the local economy such as Village at Sandhill and Lexington Medical Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
