News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Tennessee’s tax holiday allows local consumers to purchase clothing, school supplies, and some computers without added sales tax.
Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President George Halford said the holiday helps increase revenue for businesses in the area.
“It really gives people a chance – who were putting off purchases – to make purchases,” Halford said. “While their in the store, they buy more things and bigger things. It’s been going on now for several years. It’s a tremendous success and I know we benefit greatly.”
Halford said although stores in Cookeville help attract shoppers from across the county, the tax holiday helps extend that reach even further.
“There’s 350,000 [people] in our larger trade area… so these people coming in to shop are not just coming in from Putnam County, they’re coming in from other counties and they’re leaving their money here,” Halford said. “They’re spending their money to help us pave our streets and educate our kids and build our schools.”
Halford said besides the holiday season, the state’s tax holiday each July is one of the biggest shopping times of the year.
“Whoever dreamed it up years ago had a good day,” Halford said. “They did a very good thing for our community, for our state, and for our business community and our merchants. They sure did.”
The tax holiday runs through the weekend and ends Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Clothing and school supplies – including supplies for art classes – are tax-free under $100 per item. Computers under $1,500 are also tax exempt.
