Shoes and clothing are on top of many parents' lists for the annual sales tax holiday starting today.
Becky Schelling's daughters aren't quite old enough for public school, but she plans to join other parents at area stores this weekend in pursuit of everything needed for a fresh start at school.
The sales tax holiday that started at 12:01 a.m. today and lasts until 11:59 p.m. Sunday will give Schelling a chance to buy Ava, 2, and Emory, 4, new shoes without the 6.75 percent sales tax added on at the end of the receipt.
A teacher at West Iredell Middle School, Schelling plans to shop at Staples at some point because the store gives teachers a good discount, she said. School instructional materials, such as reference books totaling $300 or less, can be purchased without sales tax, according to the N.C. Department of Revenue.
"We have to buy a lot of pencils, so kids can be prepared," Schelling said. "We'll definitely make use of tax-free weekend."
Statesville resident Karen Shea's two children will be attending the new Cloverleaf Elementary School this year.
She said the big item on her back-to-school list is shoes. Pencils, erasers and all the other traditional school staples will likely find a place in her shopping cart.
Melissa Tirago plans to buy her son Diego Arevalo, 7, some new clothes.
She tries to keep a decent supply of crayons, pencils and paper on hand for her two children the entire year.
"We have basically everything from the year before," she said.
According to the state Department of Revenue, clothing, footwear and school supplies that cost $100 or less per item qualifies for zero taxes. However, clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business and rentals do not qualify.
Statesville resident Lori Meluch said she might venture out to buy a few sports-related items.
Her children are homeschooled, so there isn't a lot of down time in their curriculum, she said. Matthew and daughter Ann participate in a lot of activities outside the home, such as tennis.
Besides applying to eligible items purchased in stores, the tax holiday exempts items ordered by mail, telephone and the Internet. A more detailed list of items eligible for the tax-free holiday can be viewed on the Web at www.dor.state.nc.us/aboutus/education/salestax_holiday.html.
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