Schools are opening around South Georgia in the next few weeks and that means full shopping carts for parents and teachers. This year, Georgia is trying to help you save some money by taking away the sales tax for two days in August. We will take you to some Albany businesses to see how they, and you, will benefit.
Kids are getting ready to head back to school. And that means that parents are opening their wallets for new school supplies. On August 10th and 11th, the state will help families by removing sales tax from school related supplies. One of the most popular items on the back to school list are clothes, like these uniforms.
"Any clothing or accessory items would be considered under the sales tax holiday," said Goodin, from Make Room For Baby.
After a year off, the Georgia sales tax holiday is back, and some Albany businesses are taking full advantage.
"In the past, we have done the sales tax holiday and of course take that opportunity to allow people to save a little extra money," said Goodin.
The tax holiday means big savings for parents and extra sales for small store owners.
"We appreciate any assistance that the state gives us. We can have an extra incentive for people to go out there and buy," said Goodin.
"Georgia's tax free holiday doesn't just apply to kinds of clothes that you'll be sending your kids back to school in, it also applies to some of the supplies that your kids might see when they get back to the classroom," said Polk.
Hall School Equipment and Supplies in Albany serves many Southwest Georgians, but teachers make up most of their clientele.
"Teachers and day cares is 90% of our business," said Hall.
To get the most out of their time in the classroom, teachers make it bright, colorful, and educational to maximize student learning. And they do most of that on their own.
"Every year, teachers come in and spend their own money and some of them spend two hundred or three hundred dollars a year," said Hall.
So getting a little help is always appreciated, even if it is a little late this year.
"It would be a little better if it was July." "For them to suggest this and to do this, that makes you think that some things are getting a little better," said Hall.
If teachers can save a little while getting their supplies for the school year, then they might be able to give back to the students in the long run.
If you don't have any kids but still hate paying sales taxes, you'll be in luck. The next sales tax holiday will be in October for energy and water efficient appliances.
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