Sales tax holiday this weekend

The annual back-to-school shopping season takes place this weekend, July 31-Aug. 1. This annual tax free weekend allows Georgia families to save on vital supplies, clothes and technology to prepare their children for the upcoming year. The holiday means savings for shoppers and big business for retailers, including increased staff for this weekend, which has become the second largest shopping weekend after Black Friday.

As part of the holiday, shoppers don’t have to pay sales tax on back-to-school items including clothing and shoes priced at $100 or less, computers and accessories $1,000 or less, and school supplies less than $20 per item. Families with school-age children spend an average $634.78 on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics to get ready for the school year.

According to a recent study from The Washington Economics Group, the back-to-school sales tax holiday has the potential to increase economic activity in Georgia by at least $475.8 million. The same study estimates the tax holiday generates an additional $182.2 million in wages.