State Senators Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro) and Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro) are encouraging citizens in Rutherford County to take advantage of Tennessee’s 15th annual Sales Tax Holiday set to begin the last weekend in July. This year, the General Assembly passed legislation extending the yearly tax-free weekend to two weekends and doubling the price limits on most tax-exempt items.  This extension, which was supported by Reeves and White in the 2020/2021 state budget, will help Tennesseans save money and support the economy for retail businesses and restaurants.

“Every year, the tax-free weekend helps families and teachers prepare for school by making school supplies more affordable,” said Reeves and White in a joint statement. “But this year the Sales Tax Holiday is especially important with many Tennessee citizens and businesses facing significant economic hardship due to the effects COVID-19. These two tax-free weekends will allow Tennesseans to keep more of their hard earned money as well as support local businesses and jobs. We encourage all citizens to take advantage of this event and look forward to the positive impact it has on our economy.”

The first tax-free weekend focuses on clothing and other back-to-school items. It begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31, and ends Sunday, August 2, at 11:59 p.m. During this time, consumers may purchase clothing, school supplies, and computers and other qualifying electronic devices without paying sales tax. Certain price restrictions apply. For school supplies and clothing, the threshold for qualifying items is $200 or less. For computers and other electronics, the price threshold is $3,000 or less. Download the full list of tax-exempt items here.

Exempt items sold online are also eligible. Consumers must purchase items for personal use, not business or trade.

The second sales tax holiday weekend focuses on restaurant sales. It begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 7 and ends Sunday, August 9, at 11:59 p.m. During this time the retail sale of food and drink by restaurants and limited service restaurants, as defined in Tenn. Code Ann.  § 57-4-102, is exempt from sales tax.      

For more information about the sales tax holiday weekends, visit www.tntaxholiday.com.