On your mark! Get set! SHOP!

Fayette shoppers may be counting

down to experience their first Shop Georgia! sales-tax-free shopping holiday.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. this

Friday morning, March 29, and continuing until midnight March 30, shoppers

will be able to purchase certain clothing, footwear, school supplies and

computers free of all state and local sales tax.

"Based on other states'

experiences with sales-tax-free periods, we anticipate a significant increase

in the number of shoppers at the malls and stores that sell exempt items,"

said Georgia Revenue Commissioner T. Jerry Jackson.

During the 48-hour period,

shoppers can purchase an unlimited number of clothing items tax-free,

provided no item exceeds $100. School supplies have a $20 maximum per

item. Like clothing there is no limit on how many items can be purchased

tax-free.

Clothing items exceeding the

$100 ceiling and school supplies surpassing the $20 ceiling will be taxed

at their normal rates.

"Computer purchases work

a little differently," cautioned Commissioner Jackson. "Shoppers

can purchase up to $1,500 in computer hardware, accessories and certain

software tax-free provided the transaction includes a base unit, which

is either a desktop, laptop or tower."

When a purchase exceeds the

$1,500 ceiling, the regular tax rates will apply on the surplus amount.

"Computer related items

purchased separately, without a base unit, will be taxed at the normal

rate," added Commissioner Jackson.

Shop Georgia! is part of Gov.

Roy Barnes' and the Georgia legislature's efforts to stimulate the state's

economy. Another sales-tax holiday is scheduled for Aug. 2-3 to coincide

with back-to-school sales.

The sales-tax exemption is

intended only for individuals for their personal use. It does not apply

to purchases made by a business, to items leased or rented, or items sold

at sports facilities, theme parks, restaurants, public lodging establishments

and airports.

Additional information can

be obtained from the Department of Revenue's regional offices or toll-free

at 1-888-353-4595. Commissioner Jackson encourages retailers and consumers

desiring a comprehensive list of exempt items and more information about

the sales tax holiday to visit the Department's web site at www.gatax.org.

The list of exempt items is also available via the Department's Fax-On-Demand

at 404-417-6011. The list is item 516.

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