Oklahoma's First Tax Free Holiday A Success

Sunday, August 5th 2007, 2:53 pm

By: News On 6

Retailers expect Oklahomaâ€™s first tax free weekend to be one for the record books. Everyone said this weekend was going to be as big as the day after Thanksgiving. The News On 6â€™s Joshua Brakhage reports retailers say it looks like they'll meet expectations.

Stores like the Buckle were banking on big bargains to bring in big business. Managers say in one day, they did double the back-to-school business they did last year.

"We had a couple thousand dollar sales yesterday, people just getting it all done at one time and had three or four kids, so there were some big sales yesterday,â€ said Buckle manager Luke Fall.

Parents had no problem cashing in on clothes and school shoes.

"We were primarily looking for the basics. We saved about $30 on tax, so it's a pretty good deal, I think,â€ said shopper Linc Smith.

School supplies weren't part of the tax-free plan, but Tulsa's Promenade Mall tried to make sure schools profited from the tax holiday. Every dollar shoppers spent can be dedicated toward the school of their choice. The mall will award $5,000 to local schools this fall.

While the state suspended all sales taxes, Oklahoma taxpayers will end up picking up the tab for lost local taxes. The state plans to reimburse cities $2.7 million for the three-day shopping blitz.

Watch the video: Shoppers Take Advantage Of Oklahoma's First Tax Free Weekend.

For more on the sales tax holiday, as well as tips for back to school, click here.