Tennessee’s Sales Tax Holiday is a Great Reason to Visit the Smoky Mountains
by Jeff on July 29, 2009
in Communities, Shopping
Walden's Landing is just shopping complex that awaits visitors that come to the Smoky Mountains hunting bargains. Photo courtesy Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism
There aren’t many opportunities that allow you to take a weekend getaway AND save money, but on the weekend of August 7th through 9th you will have your chance. That’s when Tennessee will have it’s fourth annual Sales Tax Holiday.
The holiday begins Friday, August 7 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday, August 9 at 11:59 p.m. During the designated three-day weekend, consumers will not pay state or local sales tax on select clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item, and computers with a price of $1,500 or less, a savings of nearly 10 percent on exempt items. Visit www.tntaxholiday.com for more information on the holiday. The Tennessee Department of Revenue also assists consumers via e-mail, Salestax.Holiday@TN.gov, and through its toll-free statewide telephone hot line, (800) 342-1003.
For years people have flocked to the outlet malls and shops in the Smoky Mountain area for their vast selection of name brands at famously low prices. Thousands every year make the trip to the area for the bargain shopping alone. Most of the merchants will running special Sales Tax Holiday and Back to School sales during the weekend to make the savings even greater.
“During tough economic times, this tax-saving initiative provides savings for Tennessee shoppers and a much needed boost for Tennessee retailers,” said Tennessee Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “We are hopeful that all Tennessee shoppers will enjoy the immediate relief of the 2009 Sales Tax Holiday.”
Travel cost to the Smokies will be lower than last year. Gas prices are much lower than the Summer of 2008 prices. The hotels, cabin rentals, campgrounds and condo rentals will also have plenty of affordable lodging options for all the bargain shoppers coming into the Smoky Mountains for the Sales Tax Holiday. You can stay in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and other parts of the area and still be close to the best shopping options.
All things considered, the average family that is outfitting the kids for school could save enough to cover the cost of the trip and still have money left over to take in area attractions. In a down economy the Sales Tax Holiday, the bargain outlets and affordable lodging can make the summer go out on positive note.
