Media release provided by South Carolina Department of Revenue.

• South Carolina's 2026 Tax Free Weekend starts Friday, August 7

  Tuesday, Jul 7, 2026South Carolina shoppers can save on purchases of school supplies, computers, clothing and accessories, shoes, and other school-year essentials during the state’s annual Tax Free Weekend, which runs August 7-9, 2026.

  What makes Tax Free Weekend special?

  During Tax Free Weekend (also known as the Sales Tax Holiday), South Carolina law allows shoppers to purchase eligible items without paying state or local Sales Tax.For complete details, visit the SCDOR’s Tax Free Weekend webpage, dor.sc.gov/taxfreeweekend.

  Where can I buy tax-exempt items?

  • You can buy tax-exempt items in a store or online. If you don’t plan on leaving the house, check with your local retailer to see if they offer online shopping options.
  • All retailers who sell eligible items must participate in Tax Free Weekend and cannot collect Sales Tax from their customers on purchases of eligible items.

  What items are exempt from Sales Tax?

  • The SCDOR helps shoppers plan for Tax Free Weekend by sorting eligible items into four categories:
    • School supplies used in the classroom or at home for school assignments, including musical instruments, calculators, and headphones.
    • Computers and technology, including printers and software. (Computer parts and accessories, including monitors and keyboards, are only tax-exempt when sold as a package with a computer.)
    • Clothing and footwear, including athletic uniforms, dance shoes, all types of coats and rainwear, and diapers.
    • Certain bed and bath items, including sheets, pillows, bedspreads, towels, and shower curtains.
  • Items are eligible regardless of price or whether they are purchased new or used.
  • These lists are not all-inclusive. See Revenue Ruling #19-4 and Information Letter #26-16 for more information on exempt and non-exempt items.

  Tips for retailers:

  • Before Tax Free Weekend begins, retailers should visit dor.sc.gov/retailer-toolkit for in-store signage, sample social media posts, and retailer-specific FAQs.
  • You will report sales of eligible tax-exempt items made during Tax Free Weekend as a deduction on your August State Sales and Use Tax Worksheet. Enter “Sales Tax Holiday” as the deduction type.

  By the numbers:

  • 26 years: South Carolina taxpayers have been celebrating Tax Free Weekend since 2000, when it was first created by the state legislature.
  • $25 million: Last year, South Carolina shoppers bought more than $25 million in tax-free items during Tax Free Weekend.
  • $1.5 million: Those sales translate to shoppers saving more than $1.5 million in Sales Tax.