Here’s When You Can Enjoy South Carolina’s Annual Tax Free Weekend

When I was a kid I always hated to see those "back to school" shopping ads.  I felt like they were rushing my summer vacation.  But, I remember as a parent you needed to plan ahead.  And, many look forward each year to the annual tax free weekend in South Carolina.  And, the Department of Revenue now has a date for that weekend in 2023.

Officially, South Carolina's Tax Free Weekend is set for August 4-6.  And, according to the South Carolina Department of Revenue, that's a brief time period during which shoppers purchase anything from school supplies and certain electronics to dorm accessories  and more while being exempt from state sales tax.

Of course, the South Carolina state sales tax is 6%.  So, that adds up when it comes to larger purchases.  And, South Carolina Department of Revenue data shows last year's tax free weekend saw more than $26.2 million in purchases.  However, not everything is eligible for tax free status during the South Carolina Tax Free Weekend.  So, make sure you check to find out before making any larger purchases to avoid surprises.

Just a few items listed on the South Carolina Department of Revenue site that don't qualify include digital cameras, smartphones, jewelry  cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, watches and furniture.  But, if you have any doubt, check here before you shop.

And, with prices of just about everything on the rise, we like to save anywhere we can.  As I always remember the saying about watching the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.  So, every little bit helps.  Although it's only July, the date of South Carolina's Tax Free Weekend is just a month away.  So, start making your list and plan to take advantage of the savings!

With prices skyrocketing around us it can seem like what you are being charged is incorrect. I have no idea how that grocery bill adds up as quick as it does, and for nothing, it seems. And while most of the time it's just the prices, they could be overcharging you. Every year the North Carolina state government audits stores to make sure they are charging consumers the correct listed prices and not overcharging. This year the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services collected fines from 37 stores in 22 counties due to excessive price-scanner errors.

This is monitored by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in an attempt to keep stores honest. They believe many of the issues come from a lack of staff making it harder for stores to keep up. This essentially means that when rung up prices are showing higher than what they are marked on the shelves.

If you are shopping and realize an item rings up for a different price than advertised make sure to bring it to the attention of a manager. If you'd like to report a store for violations call 984-236-4750. Stores can be issued fines even if what they are doing isn't breaking the law.

You can read more details about how these fines are issues and specific violations of individual stores on the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services website. Keep reading to see which North Carolina stores have been charged fines for overcharging customers.

County: Alamance

Penalties Paid: $1,485

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1217+S+Main+St,+Graham,+NC+27253/@36.0451148,-79.3975035,18z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88532ca472436b45:0x8322eee22f21d718!8m2!3d36.0452826!4d-79.3966629!16s%2Fg%2F11bw439rzx

County: Brunswick

Penalties Paid: $1,420

https://www.google.com/maps/place/5001+Main+St,+Shallotte,+NC+28470/@33.9679506,-78.3932856,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89aa7605efbdf813:0xc69c158de1ce1502!8m2!3d33.9679506!4d-78.3907107!16s%2Fg%2F11b8v4mtr8

County: Brunswick

Penalties Paid: $1,725

https://www.google.com/maps/place/6675+Beach+Dr+SW,+Ocean+Isle+Beach,+NC+28469/@33.899679,-78.459159,18.5z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89009cc0cbc87751:0x74cc053653c22ef2!8m2!3d33.8996816!4d-78.4579423!16s%2Fg%2F11bw49zn15

County: Cleveland

Penalties Paid: $2,235

https://www.google.com/maps/place/125+N+Academy+St,+Mooresboro,+NC+28114/@35.3018913,-81.6977304,19z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88573d49fa6023f3:0x429ce1252e084d1d!8m2!3d35.3018118!4d-81.6971828!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4mr3kk

County: Davie

Penalties Paid: $6,290

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1334+Yadkinville+Rd,+Mocksville,+NC+27028/@35.9174249,-80.5841393,18.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8853c25e7fc832bf:0x2b423cc4aeb490b2!8m2!3d35.9173388!4d-80.5828574!16s%2Fg%2F11bw3ztc16

County: Forsyth

Penalties Paid: $13,445

https://www.google.com/maps/place/3915+Country+Club+Rd,+Winston-Salem,+NC+27104/@36.0906024,-80.3195761,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8853b1ab98cfc2bf:0x31a466404711205c!8m2!3d36.0906024!4d-80.3170012!16s%2Fg%2F11b8v5wsmh

County: Granville

Penalties Paid: $3,855

https://www.google.com/maps/place/903+College+St,+Oxford,+NC+27565/@36.3231155,-78.5983328,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89ada1336df27d15:0x9e1ca3a688dbc16e!8m2!3d36.3231155!4d-78.5957579!16s%2Fg%2F11c1cdssv8

County: $8,380

Penalties Paid: $8,380

https://www.google.com/maps/place/4017+Yanceyville+St,+Greensboro,+NC+27405/@36.1399382,-79.7794995,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88531fb1d1d99f07:0xee226722e23b4109!8m2!3d36.1399382!4d-79.7769246!16s%2Fg%2F11c5nyyq50

County: Jackson

Penalties Paid: $5,000

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shopping+Center,+76+Cashiers+Shopping+Ctr,+Cashiers,+NC+28717/@35.1205269,-83.0902313,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88591b4f1a2bf5d7:0xcdf8e1ce9d2f7ebe!8m2!3d35.1205269!4d-83.0876564!16s%2Fg%2F11tg8hl1jz

County: Mecklenburg

Penalties Paid: $7,675

https://www.google.com/maps/place/2804+W+Sugar+Creek+Rd,+Charlotte,+NC+28262/@35.301877,-80.8024261,17.75z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88541e0790d83de1:0x8759fa6cd236098!8m2!3d35.3018201!4d-80.8010089!16s%2Fg%2F11b8v6r6vn

County: Pender

Penalties Paid: $2,040

https://www.google.com/maps/place/105+US-117,+Burgaw,+NC+28425/@34.5545741,-77.9166448,18z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89a98090f363ef05:0x40715171fc9aa7ed!8m2!3d34.554574!4d-77.9151834!16s%2Fg%2F11b8v5p9ld

County: Randolph

Penalties Paid: $7,655

https://www.google.com/maps/place/2907+S+Main+St,+High+Point,+NC+27263/@35.9215683,-79.980549,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88530c2502933255:0x2e86d715f959de54!8m2!3d35.9215683!4d-79.9779741!16s%2Fg%2F11bw43j005

County: Rowan

Penalties Paid: $4,880

https://www.google.com/maps/place/11801+Statesville+Blvd,+Cleveland,+NC+27013/@35.7302281,-80.6959099,18.5z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8853e4cb3f5d6a83:0x8f399632ce9af16!8m2!3d35.7298962!4d-80.6951474!16s%2Fg%2F11bw3_3st0

County: Rowan

Penalties Paid: $1,920

https://www.google.com/maps/place/120+Grace+Church+Rd,+Salisbury,+NC+28147/@35.6157826,-80.5369503,18.5z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8853f41bb284a9c7:0xba605ac106855102!8m2!3d35.6155233!4d-80.5357278!16s%2Fg%2F11g19v3s8j

County: Stanly

Penalties Paid: $1,845

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1920b+US-52,+Albemarle,+NC+28001/@35.386955,-80.1937041,18.5z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88547b8226c00001:0x1c7e766658f0629b!8m2!3d35.3870218!4d-80.1933474!16s%2Fg%2F11sj9lkxsl

County: Yadkin

Penalties Paid: $1,005

https://www.google.com/maps/place/120+W+Main+St,+Boonville,+NC+27011/@36.2334528,-80.7106952,18.5z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8853d344c972cca7:0x19155558dd8390d6!8m2!3d36.2334204!4d-80.709922!16s%2Fg%2F11bw3_y7ys

County: Bertie

Penalties Paid: $15,000

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1307+S+King+St,+Windsor,+NC+27983/@35.9890411,-76.9335259,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89afa4100b9c5607:0xd2705c1e0fa8b4c7!8m2!3d35.9890411!4d-76.930951!16s%2Fg%2F11b8v6kynj

County: Chowan

Penalties Paid: $7,930

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1823+Virginia+Rd,+Edenton,+NC+27932/@36.1608087,-76.6576985,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89af926282fa48a7:0x41ccfeeffa047718!8m2!3d36.1608087!4d-76.6551236!16s%2Fg%2F11c5k312t_

County: Forsyth

Penalties Paid: $18,950

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1019+Rural+Hall-Germanton+Rd,+Rural+Hall,+NC+27045/@36.2423336,-80.2760952,19z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8852529d74793841:0x7916dae14a9f6e7e!8m2!3d36.242536!4d-80.2755385

County: Forsyth

Penalties Paid: $5,000

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1425+Waughtown+St,+Winston-Salem,+NC+27107/@36.0689565,-80.2072607,20.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8853af22df97fe79:0x95df1ea623c31216!8m2!3d36.0690217!4d-80.2070926!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4df5sn

County: Forsyth

Penalties Paid: $8,110

https://www.google.com/maps/place/2017+S+Broad+St,+Winston-Salem,+NC+27127/@36.0716522,-80.2427402,19.75z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8853afafeed85b2d:0x3db799e7b951e2b1!8m2!3d36.0716404!4d-80.2423691!16s%2Fg%2F11bw438kt7

County: Hertford

Penalties Paid: $20,000

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1216+E+Memorial+Dr,+Ahoskie,+NC+27910/@36.2748394,-76.9773815,18.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89afc7b1cfd20693:0xd44b5bd2b3ef5f64!8m2!3d36.2746934!4d-76.9765925!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4qf58b

County: Hyde

Penalties Paid: $13,410

https://www.google.com/maps/place/13115+US-264,+Swanquarter,+NC+27885/@35.4249843,-76.3277509,18.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89a5f3b04fe2928d:0x76a70bdb611608f4!8m2!3d35.4251292!4d-76.3267777!16s%2Fg%2F11csg1yd_r

County: Mecklenburg

Penalties Paid: $20,000

https://www.google.com/maps/place/7921+Old+Statesville+Rd,+Charlotte,+NC+28269/@35.3292605,-80.8280026,18.5z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8856a76bd5d3e571:0x658ae79947b02dde!8m2!3d35.3295119!4d-80.8268361!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4r4s07

County: Mecklenburg

Penalties Paid: $10,000

County: Perquimans

Penalties Paid: $32,685

https://www.google.com/maps/place/206+Ocean+Hwy+S,+Hertford,+NC+27944/@36.1779245,-76.4646594,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89af8aab8a00ce11:0x76659186d2cf6e70!8m2!3d36.1779245!4d-76.4620845!16s%2Fg%2F11rfwfzssm

County: Stanly

Penalties Paid: $28,675

https://www.google.com/maps/place/103+N+Main+St,+Norwood,+NC+28128/@35.2250417,-80.1202473,18.75z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x885461c065224cdd:0x42c1e0c9b803523f!8m2!3d35.2248533!4d-80.1197839!16s%2Fg%2F11bw410vqx

County: Guilford

Penalties Paid: $6,715

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1212+Bridford+Pkwy,+Greensboro,+NC+27407/@36.0564212,-79.9101258,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88531b262db0dae9:0x4919d244d9ff23cc!8m2!3d36.0564212!4d-79.9075509!16s%2Fg%2F11b8v6mjt5

County: Guilford

Penalties Paid: $5,000

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1628+Highwoods+Blvd,+Greensboro,+NC+27410/@36.1133999,-79.877965,17.5z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88531c8aeadace23:0xab63bc659d73c550!8m2!3d36.1139419!4d-79.8760585!16s%2Fg%2F11c2bfqyjn

County: Mecklenburg

Penalties Paid: $8,370

https://www.google.com/maps/place/8120+University+City+Blvd,+Charlotte,+NC+28213/@35.2927113,-80.7468205,18.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88541e98d02d7fd1:0xfd71c188205fecff!8m2!3d35.2925743!4d-80.7458688!16s%2Fg%2F11bw3x91gz

County: Guildford

Penalties Paid: $3,540

https://www.google.com/maps/place/3101+Pleasant+Garden+Rd,+Greensboro,+NC+27406/@36.0270568,-79.771759,17.75z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8853184436f0679b:0xd71ed3e15a5425ba!8m2!3d36.0267729!4d-79.7704333!16s%2Fg%2F11b8zg1714

County: Mecklenburg

Penalties Paid: $5,340

https://www.google.com/maps/place/3424+Matthews-Mint+Hill+Rd,+Matthews,+NC+28105/@35.1371699,-80.6838257,18z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8854239935ca8b01:0xde40ab3f026af342!8m2!3d35.1372324!4d-80.6827988!16s%2Fg%2F11bw402f43

County: Surry

Penalties Paid: $8,890

https://www.google.com/maps/place/110+Graceland+Ln,+Mt+Airy,+NC+27030/@36.4853654,-80.7457369,19z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x885226eaea33f4fb:0xe97f54fd985fd99b!8m2!3d36.4853458!4d-80.7451566!16s%2Fg%2F11b8y5l06p

County: Bladen

Penalties Paid: $7,365

https://www.google.com/maps/place/14661+NC-87,+Tar+Heel,+NC+28392/@34.7336446,-78.7947533,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89ab025617e79f43:0x4909587d8cc53ee7!8m2!3d34.7336446!4d-78.7921784!16s%2Fg%2F11c43_x9wy

County: Brunswick

Penalties Paid: $3,395

https://www.google.com/maps/place/New+Pointe+Blvd,+Leland,+NC+28451/@34.2130617,-78.0242313,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89aa193662568283:0x739b33681b08b90e!8m2!3d34.2130617!4d-78.0216564!16s%2Fg%2F1tdksnv4

County: 1318 East Dixie Dr, Asheboro

Penalties Paid: $4,470

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1318+E+Dixie+Dr,+Asheboro,+NC+27203/@35.6964176,-79.7903511,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x885368fe4c9881d7:0xe449de2117bc472d!8m2!3d35.6964176!4d-79.7877762!16s%2Fg%2F11c191q_pn

County: Watauga

Penalties Paid: $945

https://www.google.com/maps/place/178+W+King+St,+Boone,+NC+28607/@36.2168749,-81.6769677,18.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8850fa13df80c105:0x3166009478f4311e!8m2!3d36.2169662!4d-81.676184!16s%2Fg%2F11b8v61b0r