Sales Tax Free Weekend

Oklahoma's first official, statewide tax free holiday weekend is underway. The holiday runs through Sunday, but already, many stores are packed with folks hoping to save big bucks. The back to school

Friday, August 3rd 2007, 9:55 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma's first official, statewide tax free holiday weekend is underway. The holiday runs through Sunday, but already, many stores are packed with folks hoping to save big bucks. The back to school shopping season is always a busy time at Trippets shoes in Tulsa. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports right now, it's really busy.

"This has been an absolute zoo," said Trippets employee Becky Grigg.

Lots of shoppers are taking advantage of Oklahoma's first, official statewide tax free weekend.

"I spent about $119 and saved $10, so $10 is pretty good," said Tulsa resident Michelle Buckley.

Through Sunday, shoppers won't have to pay any sales tax on shoes and clothes. It will save anywhere from 8 to 10% in most places. Karen Morey brought her grandchildren to get new shoes.

"It saves you a little bit of money when you're buying a lot of things for kids for back to school, definitely, no question about it," Morey said.

The sales tax discount applies to items that cost less than $100, but there's no limit on the total amount of your bill.

Not only does the tax free weekend save people a lot of money on things like shoes and clothes, it's also good for Oklahoma businesses.

That means a lot of those shoppers will keep their back to school dollars in Oklahoma, compared to border states that have offered tax free weekends.

"They have gone to Texas. I myself have gone to Texas for the savings, so now I can stay local," said Tulsa resident Rhonda Estep.

And if the first day of the tax free holiday is any indication, a lot of other folks will spend locally too, setting up for a busy weekend of savings.

"I think it's a great idea," Buckley said. "It helps everybody."

No cities or counties will lose sales tax money as a result of the holiday. The state will compensate cities and counties for lost sales tax revenue from the state's sales tax fund.

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

Watch the video:

Tax Free Shopping Hits Oklahoma

Tax Free Holiday Underway

Related stories:

7/25/2007 - Governor Signs Rules For Sales Tax Holiday

7/26/2007 - Shoppers Prepare For Sales Tax Holiday

8/2/2007 - Sales Tax Holiday Begins Today