Tax-free weekend is August 7-9, 2026, and is a great time to buy school supplies while saving the 6% state sales tax and applicable local taxes on many items. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) encourages consumers to go into the shopping weekend with a plan involving these tips:

• Make a list and stick to it. Review the Department of Revenue’s (SCDOR) website for a general list of items that are tax exempt as well as ones that are not. A list will help save time and avoid impulse buying and overspending.
• Know the return policy. Review return and exchange policies so you know before you go. Don’t see it in store? Ask, especially if you are purchasing items that often have a restocking fee, like computers.
• Review financial statements. Read your financial statements during the tax-free weekend and beyond. If you find errors or fraudulent charges, dispute them immediately.

Eligible items purchased online are also tax free. If you are doing back-to-school shopping online, protect your information and money by using these practices:

• Don’t be fooled by fake websites and advertisements. Websites are easy to create and may be designed to steal your money and personal information. If you see a product advertised online with a rock-bottom price compared to its suggested retail price, it's a huge red flag of a scam. 
• Stick to trusted, well established websites. Pick online stores that you have previously visited. Search online for reviews and complaints of the site.
• Use your credit card, not your debit card when shopping online. Credit cards offer additional protections that your debit card may not provide. Debit cards are a direct line to your checking account.

Download Ditch the Pitch (PDF), SCDCA's guide to guarding against scams, for more information on how to spot a scam. Victim of a scam? File a scam report with SCDCA. Call (800) 922-1594 or visit consumer.sc.gov and click the How Do I… button, then Report a Scam. 

About SCDCA

Established in 1974, DCA has more than fifty years of experience in protecting South Carolina consumers while recognizing those businesses that act honestly and fairly. Cultivating a marketplace comprised of well-informed consumers and businesses prevents deceptive and unfair business practices, allows legitimate business activity to flourish, resulting in the promotion of competition and a healthier economy.

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