A massive overhaul in the
On Tuesday, Gov. Pat McCrory signed the Tax Reform bill, which will lower income tax rates, adjust sales tax and repeals the estate tax — but it will also get rid of tax-free weekends after this year.
Last year, shoppers saved $14.7 million in sales tax across the state, according to the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. This year, state residents may surpass the total in 2012 because of the final opportunity to take advantage of an event considered the “Black Friday” of back-to-school shopping.
Since 2002,
Rep. John Bell, R-Wayne, said he was in favor of the tax reform plan, which was tied in with the elimination of tax-free weekend.
“I believe citizens of the state would rather have their state income tax lowered,”
“The tax plan is gradual and our goal is to have best tax rate in the country. Right now,
Rep. Marvin Lucas, D-Cumberland, disagreed with the tax reform, believing citizens will take their money elsewhere because of the change.
“I feel like parents might go out of state to take advantage of other tax-free weekends,” Lucas said. “It’s kind of difficult for parents because of the tight economy, were accustomed to the tax-free weekends and suddenly don’t have it. It’s painful.”
“It’s going to cost a whole lot more for me,” Strickland said. “I have three kids who grow so fast and my cousin has five. It’s going to be even harder for her.”
Tammy Albritton — also from
“They shouldn’t do away with that at all,” she said. “My income is limited and other people on a budget need that tax break.”
Leona Harris — who is from Deep Run, but was shopping in Kinston on Friday — said she wouldn’t be as affected from tax-free weekend, but knows quite a few people will be upset.
“With kids going back to school and losing that break, a lot of people will be disappointed,” Harris said.
Store workers have voiced their displeasure with the bill as well.
“It’s borderline ridiculous,” Belk employee Zach Larkins said. “It has been around for a while and to take it away isn’t good for business.”
J.C. Penney floor manager Rosa Barrow enjoys the business the store receives during tax-free weekend, while also shopping for her two children. The loss of the weekend will affect her on and off work hours.
“With businesses trying to make it, we look forward to tax-free weekends,” Barrow said. “I’ve been here five years and seen a lot of customers come in during those weekends who may not come back next year. This is also when I do my shopping for my kids. Why would you even mess with that?”
Although most citizens are displeased with the news, the law has been laid.
“It (stinks),” Moore said. “I usually do most of my shopping before tax-free weekend and get some of the more expensive items during that time.”
Moore — who had been following the tax reform bill — did think there was a possibility of the loss of tax-free weekends in
“I had a feeling it was going to end though,”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.
Breakout box:
Here are the items exempt during tax-free weekend:
n clothing, footwear and school supplies of $100 or less per item
n school instructional materials of $300 or less per item
n sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item
n computers of $3,500 or less per item
n computer supplies of $250 or less per item
Source: North Carolina Department of Revenue