Horry County Schools provides supplies on Tax-Free Weekend

By Kaye Collins

South Carolina’s annual Tax-Free Weekend for 2025 is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3. This 72-hour event allows shoppers to purchase a variety of school-year essentials without paying the state’s 6 percent sales tax and any applicable local taxes.

What is typically included for tax-free weekend is school supplies include items used for school assignments, such as pens, pencils, paper, binders, notebooks, books, backpacks, lunchboxes, calculators and even musical instruments and headphones.

Most clothing and shoes are tax-exempt, including school uniforms, swimwear, athletic shoes, graduation caps and gowns and even certain accessories like belts, hats and scarves.

Computers, printers and software are typically tax-free. However, computer parts and accessories (monitors and keyboards) are usually only exempt when sold as a package with a computer.

Certain bed and bath items include bedspreads, sheets, pillows, towels and shower curtains are also usually exempt.

Important considerations are in-store and online purchases. The tax exemption applies to both in-store and online purchases of qualifying items. Unlike some other states, South Carolina typically has any maximum cost per item limit for tax-free purchases.

Items not typically included in the tax-free weekend are jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, furniture and rentals of clothing or footwear. Also, items for use in a trade or business are not exempt.

Official information provides for the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of tax-exempt and non-exempt items. You should consult the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s official website or refer to their guidance documents at https://dor.sc.gov/.

Horry County School District available school supply lists are for students attending elementary and middle schools. High school students will receive information from their teachers regarding the school supplies that are needed for each class.

Horry County School supplies per grade level are as follows, Kindergarten, two packs of number 2 pencils, one nylon pencil pouch, two packs of washable markers (dry erase), two boxes of crayons (24 count) and wired earbuds or wired headphones. First grade supplies are two packs of number 2 pencils, one nylon pencil pouch, three marble compositions books (non-spiral), two packs of washable markers, two boxes of crayons (24 count), one pack of glue sticks, one pack of dry erase markers and wired earbuds or headphones. Second grade students list consists of two packs of number 2 pencils, nylon pencil pouch, three marble composition notebooks (non-spiral) two packs of washable markers, two boxes of crayons (24 count), one pack of glue sticks, one pack of dry erase markers, wired earbuds or headphones. Third through fifth graders supply list consists of two packs of number 2 pencils, nylon pencil pouch, three marble composition notebooks (non-spiral) two packs of washable markers, two boxes of crayons (24 count), one pack of glue sticks, one pack of dry erase markers, wired earbuds or headphones.

Middle school supply list consists of pencils, notebook paper, composition book, one subject notebook, pocket folders (four double and three pronged), highlighters multi-colored pack, and hard wired only earbuds.

The high school level students will receive from their teachers a list of supplies they will need for the school year.

As a reminder to parents that Horry County Schools use only clear backpacks. Horry County Schools will require students to use clear backpacks during the 2025-2026 school year. This policy is part of ongoing efforts to enhance school safety and aims to allow for easier identification of items carried by students. Clear backpacks will be required for all students who choose to carry a backpack.

The key aspects of the policy are the backpacks must be completely transparent. They cannot have stripes or be any color. Acceptable features are colored straps, leather reinforcements on the corners, and small logos are permissible. There are no size restrictions, but the district recommends considering the size of the school issued laptops. Students can still carry non-transparent items like pouches for personal items, lunchboxes, and medical equipment, but these items must be visible or carried separately and may be subject to search. The policy is intended to deter the presence of prohibited items and improve overall school safety and security. Security checkpoints and bag searches will also be implemented.