Sales Tax Holiday Coming to South Carolina Soon

A Sales Tax Holiday is coming to South Carolina once again in early August to give shoppers a bit of a break on their back-to-school purchases.

The 2024 Tax Free Weekend, also called the Sales Tax Holiday, starts Friday, August 2 and runs through Sunday, August 4.

Eligible back-to-school items can be purchased online and in-store without paying South Carolina's 6% Sales Tax and any applicable local taxes during the 72-hour tax-free weekend.

Last year, shoppers in the Palmetto State purchased more than $30 million in tax-free items, such as computers, clothing, school supplies and certain bed and bath items. They saved more than $1.8 million in Sales Tax.

South Carolina's Tax Free Weekend was created by the South Carolina Legislature in 2000. Georgia hasn't had a Tax Free Weekend since 2016.

Georgia held its first Sales Tax Holiday weekend in 2002 and continued the annual back-to-school event through 2016.

Georgia lawmakers decided to end the Sales Tax Holiday in 2017, since a Georgia State University study revealed the state lost between $36 and $50 million a year during that weekend.

It is summer in Augusta! Of course, summer doesn't officially start until June 20th, but Memorial Day marked the unofficial kick off. And we've been experiencing summer-like for quite a while already.

The kids are out of school for the summer, although some are going to get a shorter break this year with some districts doing year-round school. But no matter the length of break, you want to make the most of it and do some fun things. The good news is, you don't necessarily have to travel out of town to get the most out of your summer.

As a working adult, I don't get a summer break. And I don't have kids either. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy some fun stuff during the summer months. Sometimes we just a reminder to shake things up and try new things.

First of all, I can't 100 percent claim this was my idea. But I can't quite remember whose idea it was. You see, I was scrolling on Instagram when I came across a photo. It was someone who lives in or around the Augusta area. They had written a summer bucket list for them and their kids. Now I can't find the post, but I was truly inspired by the idea.

It's easy for me to get stuck in a routine. And I'm always saying I want to try something or go certain places, but I don't always follow through. So I thought maybe creating a Summer in Augusta bucket list and sharing it with you, it would be a great way to hold me accountable. And I can share my experiences as I check off the items on the list!

There are some things on my list that I knew should be on there right away. I also wound up with quite a few things and felt I should narrow it down a bit so I didn't overwhelm myself. And there were a few things I didn't include because they were more about personal goals versus experiencing things around town (like reading more, making sure I get to the gym at least 3 times a week, etc.).

Yes, I know this isn't IN Augusta. But thankfully, we have some great beaches relatively close by that make for a great day trip. So the plan this summer is to take at least 3 day trips to the beach! There's something refreshing about having my toes in the sand and feeling the wind and waves. It does my soul good, and I need to do more things that do that! So, whether it's Beaufort, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, or any other beach, my goal is to have myself on a beach a minimum of 3 times before September!

I'm not talking just any new restaurant. I wrote this one down with one spot in mind... The new El Paso Tacos + Tequila place that's where Mellow Mushroom used to be downtown.  I saw they were opening this spot a while back, and then recently learned they're now open. The next step is to get myself to Downtown Augusta to do a taste test of the tacos... and of course, the margaritas!

Originally, I wrote down to get ice cream at the Pink Dipper. But afterward, I was thinking I should try somewhere I haven't been before. Don't get me wrong, I love the Pink Dipper. But I do need to get out of my little bubble and try some new places! I know Kettle Creek Creamery opened back at the end of March, so that might be where I go.

I've been to the Downtown Market on a Saturday morning in Augusta. And I enjoy it even if I don't purchase anything. But, I know the Evans Market is open now too, and I haven't been there or to the Aiken Farmer's Market. I think a visit to at least one of these is going to be a summer must! I love seeing what local farmers and artisans have to offer.

I have been to quite a few Augusta GreenJacket games at SRP Park, but not recently. In fact, I'm not sure we made it out there at all last season. And that's a shame. I do truly enjoy having the opportunity to watch some baseball that's so close to home. I'm not one to watch much baseball on TV, but I love being at a ballpark to enjoy a game. This year, we've got to make it to at least ONE game... but maybe more!

Even though I've lived in this area for over 7 years now, I've never been to Riverbanks Zoo. Growing up, I went to Zoo Atlanta quite a few times, and I did visit the San Diego Zoo once a few years ago. As an animal lover, I'm surprised at myself for not making it a priority to visit Riverbanks Zoo when it's really not that far. And I LOVE tigers, so that's another reason to go!

There are a lot of places to go and things to see in Augusta. I know some people that have lived here forever may not think that, but there things if you expand and explore outside of your normal. When trying to decide what local spot to put on the list, I thought about walking or running the Canal Trail. But I've done that before. Not to say I won't visit this summer, though. I also thought about heading to Phinizy Swamp. I have been there a couple of times, but it's actually been at least a couple of years. I finally settled on visiting Pexcho's American Dime Museum. I remember reading about it when it first opened, but I just never think about it. It seems like a unique, interesting experience to check out this summer.