CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 07/07/09

Shop during the tax-free holiday

By Sharon Dowdy
Georgia’s tax free holidays are July 30 through Aug. 2, and thousands of parents will no doubt take advantage of the tax savings. University of Georgia experts say you can save a lot more than the 6-percent state sales tax by taking advantage of the sales tax holidays.

During this tax-free window certain purchases will be exempt from state and local sales taxes. Clothing, personal computers and accessories, and school supplies are on the tax-free list.

"The only reason not to buy your needed items during the tax- free days would be your personal finances," said Michael Rupured, UGA Cooperative Extension consumer economics specialist. "If you have to pay with a credit card instead of cash, the interest on your credit card balance can be enough to offset any savings."

Rupured offers some tips to help you to save time, money and frustration:

Know what is and isn't exempt.

During the tax-free holiday July 30 through Aug. 2, school supplies are tax exempt if they cost $20 or less per item. So are clothing and footwear at $100 or less per item. But accessories such as purses, jewelry or watches aren't.

For computers and accessories for personal use, the tax-free limit is $1,500 for a single purchase. Rupured urges consumers to take a tally of their computer-related items before heading to the register.

“If the purchase exceeds $1,500, the entire purchase is not exempt from the sales tax,” he said. “Aside from that limitation, practically anything needed to set-up and operate a computer at home is exempt.”

Do a little research.

Besides knowing what items are tax exempt, check advertisements and flyers for sales. Look for manufacturers' coupons for items you plan to buy.

If you want to buy a computer, find out which features and options best meet your needs. Compare prices from different stores, too.

Shop with a list.

Write down what clothing and school supplies each child needs. If computer needs are on your list, you may want to buy hardware at one place and software and other accessories at another to avoid going over the $1,500 limit.

With gas prices as high as they are, it may also make sense to plan the route you will take.

Leave the kids at home.

Most of the time, you'll spend less if they're not around. If you need to bring a child along to try on clothing, consider making two trips. Go by yourself to buy school supplies, computers and accessories. And while you're out, note the best clothing sales and return to those stores later with the kids.

Bring plenty of patience and a positive attitude. The stores, parking lots and roads around shopping centers will be crowded. Checkout lines will be long.

If you don't enjoy shopping, the sales tax holiday weekend might be a good time to stay home.

(Sharon Dowdy is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)

Sharon Dowdy is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Authors:
Sharon Dowdy
Experts/Sources:
Michael Rupured
After a hearty climb, Connect Abroad Italy students pose in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. (Photo by Angel Bhardwaj) CAES News
UGA ranks as leading doctoral institution for study abroad 12/20/24 Angel Bhardwaj
The University of Georgia remains among the top 10 U.S. universities for study abroad participation, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report released by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. UGA boasts the highest study abroad participation to enrollment ratio of the top 7 ranked doctoral institutions, earning the No. 7 spot in overall participation and No. 3 in short-term study abroad programs.
HurricaneHeleneGreenhouseDamageCropped CAES News
UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera
Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.
From left, CAES Associate Professor Abigail Borron and Fulbright Romanian-American Foundation Scholars Mihai Suteu, Daniyar Memedemin, Alina Zaharia, Andreea Ona and Daniel Chiciudean stand in front of an image of the Romanian flag projected onto a barn at UGArden. CAES News
Fulbright Scholars unite with UGA Extension to envision ag outreach model in Romania 12/18/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Arriving on the Athens campus of the University of Georgia in August 2023, five Romanian scholars experienced the same anticipation, excitement and apprehension as many first-year students.  Chosen as Fulbright Romanian-American Foundation Scholars, each serves on the faculty at one of three Romanian universities, specializing in fields from economics and engineering to plant breeding and biotechnology. The five scholars comprised the first cohort of the Romanian Extension Education Development Program, an ambitious three-year pilot effort to facilitate planning and implementation of extension services in Romania. 
Janiver in sunflower field AI web CAES News
A larger-than-life legacy: CAES student’s contagious enthusiasm inspired others 12/17/24 Jordan Powers
When Miriam Edelkind-Vealey applied for a summer role at a University of Georgia pollinator biodiversity lab in 2020, the junior undergrad didn’t quite know what to expect. After being told she got the position, Edelkind-Vealy didn’t hear anything for a few weeks. It was only then that she learned a collaborator on the project, second-year master’s degree student Amy Joy Janvier, had passed away.
In developing markets where making staple foods is a daily task and warmer climates where food spoilage is common, foods that have more longevity and are easily preserved can enhance economic opportunities by reducing food preparation tasks and lower environmental impact. CAES News
CAES researchers look to reduce food waste by extending shelf life 12/16/24 Lillian Sosbee
“Use by,” “Sell by” and “Best by” dates on food packaging can be helpful indicators of how long a consumer can store a food item before eating, but often these dates lead to high quantities of wasted food. About one-fifth of food produced for human consumption is discarded before it can be eaten, equating to 1 billion meals a day and contributing to global food insecurity.
Recognizing the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UGA graduates CAES News
UGA celebrates 15 years of Bulldog 100 12/13/24 Rachael Andrews
The University of Georgia Alumni Association released the 2025 Bulldog 100, a list of the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UGA graduates. The program, organized by the Division of Development & Alumni Relations, celebrates 15 years of honoring alumni and their entrepreneurial endeavors. Among this year’s class, businesses are headquartered in a total of eight states, with 87 of the businesses located in Georgia. In total, 142 alumni representing over two dozen industries are being recognized as a part of this year’s list.