State’s tax-free weekend starts today

MORNING HEADLINES | South Carolina’s annual tax-free weekend is underway, giving shoppers across the Palmetto State three days to save on back-to-school and other qualifying buys.

This year marks the 26th annual sales tax holiday. From now until 11:59 p.m. Sunday night, eligible items can be purchased without paying the state’s sales tax or any applicable local sales tax. The three-day exemption applies to in-store and online purchases.

Tax-exempt items generally fall into four categories:

School supplies, including backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, flash drives, musical instruments and art supplies for school;
Clothing and accessories, including shoes, athletic uniforms, socks, underwear, coats and jackets;
Computers and technology, including printers, headphones and earbuds;
Bed and bath items, including blankets, sheets, pillows, bedspreads and towels.

Not all items are tax exempt. Smartphones, e-readers, video game consoles, furniture, jewelry, cosmetics, wallets and more remain subject to sales tax.

The state Department of Revenue encourages shoppers to review the complete list of eligible and non-eligible items online before heading to the store.

According to the state agency, shoppers purchased more than $25 million in eligible items during last year’s tax-free weekend, resulting in more than $1.5 million in sales tax savings.

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In Friday’s issue of the Charleston City Paper

CP OPINION: Change in S.C. will look different in 2026. “The midterm elections in November are shaping up to be a tipping point for change nationally, but in South Carolina? Maybe not so much.”

CP CARTOON: Ariail: Pedestrian crossing
CP CARTOON: Stegelin: It’s called ‘Meritocracy’

CP COVER STORY: Does Annie Andrews have a shot at U.S. Senate seat? A month ago, Dr. Annie Andrews, the Lowcountry pediatrician turned Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, was focused on beating Lindsey Graham — an uphill race, to be sure, but one whose outlines were clear. Now, she’s in uncharted territory, watching from the sidelines while the GOP’s snap primary plays out.

CP NEWS: Charleston school trustee elections could shake up board. More than half of the seats that make up the Charleston County school board are up for election this year, four of which are currently held by trustees who were backed by right-wing advocacy group Moms for Liberty in 2022.

CP NEWS: White waits for kidney while helping other transplant hopefuls. Johns Island event planner Jarvis L. White, who was diagnosed in December 2025 with kidney failure, is slowly growing a kidney-transplant support group to rally people who are anxiously awaiting the gift of an organ.

CP FOOD: CudoCo. is much more than a seafood house. CudoCo. Seafood House opened in January 2021 with Chef Shaun Brian Sells leading the kitchen. On any given day, you’ll find the freshest seafood on the menu and on ice for retail sale.

CP ARTS: StoryCorps makes a stop in Charleston for your story. The celebrated national StoryCorps organization has rolled into town in a Sprinter van to coax out these tales, record them for eternity and share them widely via weekly broadcasts, a podcast, animated shorts, digital platforms and best-selling books.

CP MUSIC: 10 concerts not to miss through December. The dog days of summer may be winding down, but Charleston’s live music calendar is just getting warmed up.

In other recent headlines

Navarro buys more Charleston land to create ‘gateway’ to Union Pier. A key component of redeveloping the Union Pier terminal is ensuring it is well connected to the rest of the Charleston peninsula. Ben Navarro recently purchased additional properties to do just that.

2026: More than 22,000 ballots cast on first day of early voting in S.C. Senate primary. South Carolina has already seen over 22,000 votes in the special Republican primary for United States Senate.

FIRE: 1 found dead inside West Ashley home after fire. Fire crews extinguished a fire at a West Ashley home on Oakland Road Thursday night and found one person dead inside.

Kiawah Island officials propose conservation fund to protect land and habitats. Town officials are considering an ordinance that would create a dedicated conservation fund aimed at protecting land and habitats on Kiawah Island.

Kiawah Island nearing 500 sea turtle nests as hatchling season begins

CALENDAR: How to find cool things to do around town

Our online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area. Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find.