2007 Georgia Sales Tax Holiday - Aug. 2 - 5, 2007 - Update

On June 25th, I blogged about the upcoming 2007 Georgia Sales Tax Holiday and had no idea of the number of hits that would result from that post.  I want to update that post with recently released information directly from the Georgia Department of Revenue.  Here’s the latest from the state:

House Bill 128 provides for a sales tax exemption from both state and local sales taxes for certain items purchased August 2 – 5, 2007. 

During the sales tax holiday period, a sales tax exemption applies to purchases of tangible personal property in the following categories:

• Articles of Clothing. The exemption applies to articles of clothing and footwear with a sales price of $100 or less per item. Clothing accessories such as handbags, umbrellas, cuff links, handkerchiefs, jewelry, key cases, wallets, watches and watch bands, and ponytail holders and/or similar hair products are not exempt. See lists of exempt items.
• Personal Computers. A single purchase of $1,500 or less of personal computers and/or related accessories is exempt. If the single purchase exceeds $1,500, the entire transaction is taxable. See list of exempt items.
• General School Supplies. The exemption applies to the purchase of general school supplies with a sales price of $20 or less per item. See list of exempt items.

The exemptions are intended for an individual’s personal use. The exemptions exclude items rented, leased, purchased by businesses, or purchased for resale. The exemptions do not apply to items sold at theme parks, entertainment complexes, hotels, restaurants, and airports.

Lists of Exempt Items

Exempt School Supplies:

Purchases of general school supplies for use in a classroom or classroom related activity with a sales price of $20.00 or less per item are exempt during the exemption period. Purchases for use in a trade or business are not eligible for the exemption.   Click here for a printable list of exempt school supplies.

Exempt Clothing and Footwear

Purchases of clothing and footwear with a sales price of $100.00 or less per item is exempt during the exemption period.  Click here to view a printable list of exempt items.  This exemption excludes clothing accessories such as jewelry, handbags, umbrellas, eyewear, watches, watchbands, rented items and items purchased for use in a trade or business.

Exempt Computers and Accessories

The single purchase of $1,500.00 or less of personal computers and personal computer related accessories for noncommercial home or personal use is exempt during the exemption period. Computer related accessories include keyboards, monitors, other peripheral devices, personal digital assistant, modems for Internet and network access and non-recreational software. Computer and computer related accessories do not include furniture, cellular telephones, any systems, devices, software, or peripherals designed or intended primarily for recreational use, purchases for a trade or business, or items leased or rented.  For a printable list of exempt computers and related accessories, please click here.

General Guidelines for Children’s Books may be found here.  Keep in mind that not all books are exempt.  If in doubt, print out the list linked above and take it with you.

For additional information, please read this FAQ on the Georgia Department of Revenue site.   If you need additional information, contact the Taxpayer Services Division at 404-417-6601 or taxpayer.services@dor.ga.gov. Or, contact any Department of Revenue Regional Office.

All of this information is easily found at the Georgia State Department of Revenue’s site found here.  Plan ahead to spend your time and money wisely.  With big back-to-school sales going on right now at Walmart and Staples, it makes you wonder just what will be left for the sales tax holiday?