Burchett bill would move state’s spring sales tax holiday to April 25 - 27

(NASHVILLE, TN), February 19, 2008 -- The Senate Finance Committee today passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville), to move the state’s spring sales tax holiday to the last weekend in April so that it will not interfere with businesses that close for Easter.  The holiday, which was designed to provide relief to taxpayers by instituting a temporary sales tax exemption on certain items, was scheduled by law for the weekend of March 21 – 23.  The dates coincide with both Good Friday and Easter this year.

“We certainly want to allow for as many citizens as possible to take advantage of the sales tax holiday in Tennessee,” said Sen. Burchett.  “Many businesses close for Easter and would not be participating in the sales tax holiday under the current law.  This bill simply moves the date so that more citizens and businesses can participate.”

The bill, SB 2730, would start the holiday at 12:01 on Friday, April 25 and would end at 11:59 on Sunday, April 27.  During this designated three-day weekend, consumers may purchase selected clothing, school supplies and computers without paying Tennessee’s state and local sales tax on the items. This holiday also includes purchases of qualified items sold via mail, telephone, e-mail, or Internet if the customer orders and pays for the item and the retailer accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period.

The sales tax holiday item list can be reviewed here.

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