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Sales Tax Holiday Begins In Tennessee

Posted at 7:35 AM, Jul 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-29 20:18:23-04

Tennessee's annual tax-free weekend began Friday morning, and students and parents have already taken advantage of the cheaper prices.

The tax free holiday started at midnight Friday and continues until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. 

Enough people voiced their concerns about not being able to do their back to school shopping before school actually begins. As a result, legislators moved it up a week. Now the holiday falls on the last weekend in July instead of the first weekend in August.

Clothing and school supplies that are less than $100 each will be considered tax free, and computers and tablets less than $1500 will qualify for the tax-free sale, as well.

Shoppers would be able to save nearly 10%. Online sales were also included.  

Some stores say the weekend falls right behind holiday sales. Officials estimated that the average family will spend about $650 dollars for clothes and supplies this year.

Yet, at that rate, shoppers will keep $65 in their pockets.

Tennessee is one of 17 states that has the budget-saving holiday, but not everything will be considered tax free.

However, smart phones will not be considered tax-free sales and customers will have to pay the sales tax.

Kimberly Claypool was one of the shoppers taking advantage of the weekend. She's bought supplies for her nephew, and was very prepared.

"I made a list of Sunday paper, put prices, store names, double checked and that's the stores we are going to," she said while showing NewsChannel 5 her list.

The tax exemption covers anything considered to be a school supply, clothes under $100 dollars and computers under $1,500.

The weekend ends Sunday night at 12:59 a.m. For a complete list of items covered in the exemption, click here.