(NASHVILLE)  State Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro) urged Rutherford Countians to take advantage of a new sales tax holiday authorized by legislation passed earlier this year exempting the tax on prepared and unprepared food.  The sales tax holiday will coincide with the state’s annual three-day sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers. 

Both holidays will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 30.  The annual sales tax holiday on clothing and school supplies will end at 11:59 on Sunday August 1; whereas the new sales tax holiday on food will extend for a week until the end of the day on Sunday, August 5.  The new holiday includes the qualified sales of prepared food by restaurants, food trucks, caterers and grocery stores.

“The new sales tax holiday extends relief in terms of both the amount of time provided, and the number of people who can benefit,” said Sen. White, who supported both measures.  “Our annual sales tax holiday has been very helpful to parents and teachers in getting ready for the school year.  It has also provided sales tax relief to many other Tennesseans who also can take advantage of savings on these exempted items.  The new holiday, which last for a full week, will extend that tax relief to food products which are items all Tennesseans purchase.  I was very pleased that it was included in this year’s budget.”

“The new food tax relief also helps our restaurants which were particularly hurt by pandemic restrictions and closures,” she added.

In addition, Sen. White said legislation providing a sales tax holiday for gun safes and safety devices is in effect as a result of legislation passed by the General Assembly this year.  The sales tax exemption began on July 1, 2021 and is in effect until June 30, 2022.  It helps encourage safe storage of firearms. 

“I hope all local citizens will realize savings from these sales tax holidays and that it will help our local businesses which are at the heart of our communities,” she concluded.

For more information about the sales tax holiday weekends please visit www.tntaxholiday.com.