Special Sales Tax Holiday Offers Families Savings This Weekend

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The special sales tax holiday is fast approaching and offers three days of tax breaks for families shopping for school supplies, clothing and computers. The special one-time April sales tax holiday starts at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, April 27 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 29.

“I’m so pleased that the General Assembly seized the opportunity to act in the interest of Tennessee families by granting a second sales tax holiday in 2007,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “As a result of common sense budgeting, this and other sales tax holidays in the future will be possible.”

During this designated three-day weekend, consumers may purchase selected clothing, school supplies and computers without paying Tennessee’s state and local sales tax on the items. Clothing and school supplies $100 and under and computers that cost $1,500 or less are exempt from tax during the holiday.

“The April sales tax holiday is a great way for Tennesseans to save money this spring, so we hope Tennesseans seize this opportunity to stock up early on summer essentials and school necessities,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “Remember, any Tennessee resident can benefit by shopping during the sales tax holiday this April.”

All the details about the state’s sales tax holiday are available at a dedicated Web site, www.tntaxholiday.com. An audio news release from Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr is also available at the site. Assistance is available for consumers via e-mail at Salestax.holiday@state.tn.us, and through its toll-free statewide telephone hot line by calling (800) 342-1003. Out-of-state callers should dial (615) 253-0600. Revenue will provide consumers its call-center services throughout the three-day weekend, including extended hours on Saturday and Sunday.

Statewide Toll-free Hot Line: (800) 342-1003 [Out-of-state calls: (615) 253-0600]
Weekend hours:

• Saturday, April 28 - 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST
• Sunday, April 29 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST

The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the department collected $10.3 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.8 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2005-2006 fiscal year. Besides collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.Tennessee.gov/revenue.