No tax starting Friday for school supplies
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on July 31, 2008 1:46 PM
Local retailers have stocked up on items on the Wayne County Public Schools supply lists and in preparation for the state sales tax holiday, which begins Friday.
First signed into law by Gov. Mike Easley in 2001, the sales tax holiday has become a shopping tradition in North Carolina.
The weekend runs from 12:01 a.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Target store manager Angela Williams said the weekend is always popular with shoppers -- and she expects no less interest when her store opens its doors Friday at 8 a.m.
"I can't say percentages, but we're expecting it to be very good for us, as good if not better than last year," she said.
This year, the governor has added school materials like reference books, maps, globes, textbooks and workbooks with an individual price tag of up to $300 to the list of tax-free eligible items.
Previously, the price limit was $100.
Traditionally, the state's tax-exempt items include clothing, footwear and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item; computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item.
Items that are not eligible for tax-exempt shopping include accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business and rentals. Those items will still be taxed.
As an added bonus, Goldsboro shoppers can also travel fare-free.
The Goldsboro-Wayne Transportation Authority's bus system will offer free rides Friday and Saturday.