Tax Savings This Weekend

Duke Clinical Research Nurse Joanne Field was in Wal-Mart this week when her daughter started loading their cart with school supplies.

"I told her, 'Put that stuff back. We're coming back this weekend,'" Field said, looking ahead to the three-day tax-free holiday that begins Friday. "She couldn't believe there would be much savings. I told her we would save enough to get her an extra shirt."

The Fields will join thousands of other shoppers for the state's fifth tax-free holiday, during which the usual 7 percent sales tax is waived on certain products to save families money on back-to-school shopping. Tax-exempt items include clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item; computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item.

More about the state's tax-free holiday can be found on the N.C. Department of Revenue's website.

The tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday and ends at midnight Sunday. All retailers statewide including stores on campus, are participating.

State officials have never been able to precisely peg total sales for the holiday, because retailers provide sales figures only by the month. But officials estimate that shoppers will save some $8.4 million this weekend.

"Heck yes, I'll be out there," said Jennifer Phillips of the School of Nursing, who has children entering the sixth and ninth grades. "I'll buy school supplies and a lot of clothing. I've gone every year. With a 7 percent discount, you're crazy not to. It's a great time to stock up for the school year."

PERQS Discounts The PERQS Program provides Duke faculty and staff, service and entertainment opportunities at discounted costs. Some of the stores in the program will offer items eligible for the tax holiday. For a list of discounts, click here.

Her one concern is the crowds. "I'll probably head out Friday night to try to beat the rush," Phillips said. "The crowds can get big later in the weekend."

Some Duke employees say the crowds will keep them away from the stores. "If I needed to make a major purchase like a computer, I'd be there in a second," said Terry Chambliss, director of special events. "But I'm not sure about this year. It's one of those things that if I'm out, I'll pick up some clothing, but I won't make a special effort."

Duke Store, the Textbook Store and the Computer Store are ready for the weekend. But store officials say they typically don't get a lot of walk-in traffic.

"It's not a big jump for us," said Brian Buttram, assistant director of Duke University Stores. "We don't have to add staff. But almost all of our clothing, textbooks, supplies and computers are eligible under the holiday."

Another option for Duke shoppers is the PERQS Program, which arranges discounts for employees at a variety of local retailers, including Carolina Premium Outlets and Jos. A. Bank.