It’s tax-free weekend. Here’s a list of closest places to shop near the Triangle

Tax-free weekend is coming up.

While North Carolina hasn’t had a sales tax holiday since 2013, families can travel to states including Virginia and South Carolina to purchase clothes, school supplies and technology without paying sales tax.

When is tax-free weekend 2025?

South Carolina and Virginia will hold sales tax holidays beginning Friday, Aug. 1 until Sunday, Aug. 3, The News & Observer previously reported.

How much can you save during tax-free weekend?

• Virginia: Shoppers can save between 5.3% and 7%. (Sales tax rates vary by location.) Eligible items during the sales tax holiday include school supplies priced at $20 or less, clothing and shoes priced at $100 or less, select hurricane and emergency preparedness tools including portable generators and gas-powered chainsaws, and select Energy Star and WaterSense products.
• South Carolina: Shoppers can save at least 6% on eligible purchases. That’s the statewide sales and use tax rate, though counties can impose another 1% local sales tax. Eligible items include clothing, accessories, computers and school supplies.

Where to shop during tax-free weekend

Triangle families won’t be able to avoid paying sales tax at stores in town. But if they’re willing to take a road trip, there are several options available, The N&O previously reported:

• Danville, Virginia: approximately 80 miles from Raleigh; has Walmart, Target, Staples, Old Navy, Michaels, Marshalls, Ross, Belk, Rack Room Shoes and Bealls
• Roanoke, Virginia: approximately 150 miles from Raleigh; has Walmart, Target, JC Penney, Michaels, Marshalls, Belk, Skechers, Staples, T.J. Maxx, Macy’s, Ross, Old Navy and Orvis
• Norfolk, Virginia: approximately 190 miles from Raleigh; has Dillard’s, JC Penney, Macy’s, Belk, Gap, Nike, Adidas, H&M, Marshalls, Kohl’s, The North Face and Burlington
• Bennettsville and Dillon, South Carolina: approximately 120 miles from Raleigh; have Walmart and Dollar General
• Florence, South Carolina: approximately 150 miles from Raleigh; has Walmart, Target, Office Depot, Michaels, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Belk, Old Navy, T.J. Maxx and Burlington
• Rock Hill, South Carolina: approximately 180 miles from Raleigh; has Target, T.J. Maxx, Kohl’s, Best Buy and Belk

First day of school in the Triangle

While school supplies are not the only items that families may be interested in buying during tax-free weekend, it’s a good opportunity to save money on essentials ahead of the school year.

• Wake County public schools: Monday, Aug. 25 (traditional calendar), Tuesday, Aug. 5 (Knightdale High School and early colleges)
• Durham County public schools: Monday, Aug. 25 (traditional calendar), Thursday, Aug. 7 (specialty calendar)
• Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools: Monday, Aug. 25 (grades K-12), Tuesday, Sept. 2 (pre-K and Head Start)
• Johnston County Public Schools: Monday, Aug. 25, Monday, Aug. 11 (Early College Academy and Career & Technical Leadership Academy)
• Chatham County Schools: Tuesday, Aug. 26, Wednesday, Aug. 6 (Chatham Early College)

Why doesn’t NC have a sales tax holiday?

In 2013, then-Gov. Pat McCrory signed a law that eliminated the sales tax holiday and lowered personal and corporate income taxes, The N&O previously reported.

At the time, North Carolina lawmakers said the state had lost more than $13 million in revenue during the tax-free weekend in 2013.

The state had a sales tax holiday from 2002-13. The idea to reinstate it has been discussed over the past 12 years, including as recently as this year.

This story was originally published July 30, 2025 at 12:03 PM with the headline "It’s tax-free weekend. Here’s a list of closest places to shop near the Triangle."

Renee Umsted

The News & Observer

919-419-6579

Renee Umsted is The News & Observer’s Affordability Reporter. She writes about what it costs to live in the Triangle, with a consumer-focused approach. She has a degree in journalism from TCU.