Pay no taxes this weekend
By Dwight Otwell Editor

This is the weekend to buy computers, clothes, school supplies and recreational equipment.

The North Carolina Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday and ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday. That means that there will be no tax on these items. It is meant as a back-to-school break for parents but anyone can buy these items during the weekend and escape paying sales tax on them.

Kati Pullium, sales representative for The Crate in Murphy, said the clothes store has its back to school sale during this weekend so a person looking for school clothes can save even more.

"Kids like to buy jeans here. It works out pretty well," she said. "Last year (the tax free weekend) worked out well."

All it requires to eliminate the tax for a sale is the press of a register key, she said.

Mary Ruth Curtis, co-owner of Circuit World, said the Murphy store sells Dell computers, which are eligible for the tax free break this weekend.

"Last year a lot of college students got laptops for school," she said. "We stock more inventory (during the Sales Tax Holiday).

Eligible for the tax break are clothing, footwear and school supplies of $100 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.

Not covered by the tax exemption are clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business and rentals.

Some examples of clothing that are exempt include baby receiving blankets, belts, boots, coats, costumes, diapers, formal wear, garters and panty hose, jogging suits, lab coats, neckties, rainwear, shoes, uniforms and wedding apparel.

Tax exempt for computer purchase includes a central processing unit, monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers if the items are sold in conjunction with a central processing unit. The separate sale of a monitor, keyboard, mouse or speakers is subject to tax.

Included in school supplies are book bags, calculators, crayons, glue, highlighters, legal pads, lunch boxes, paintbrushes for artwork, pencils, pens, reference books, reference maps and globes.

Sports or recreational equipment includes ballet and tap shoes, cleated or spiked athletic shoes, helmets for bicycle, skating, baseball and other sports, life preservers, roller and ice skates and waders, wetsuits and fins.