WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Tenn. won't see tax-free weekend this spring

Tenn. won't see tax-free weekend this spring

There will be no Sales Tax Holiday for the state of Tennessee this spring.

The Department of Revenue said Tennessee can't afford a tax free weekend this year.

"The state is feeling the effects of the national economic downturn and we have had negative growth sales tax for at least the past year," said Department of Revenue spokesperson Sophie Moery.  "The sales tax holiday can cost up to $15 million annually and we really need that money right now to preserve state programs and jobs."

While shoppers may not yet realize there won't be a holiday this spring, several Middle Tennessee retailers are offering their own economic stimulus.

Electronic Express and Haverty's Furniture both advertise a "Tax Free Weekend."

"It's just something where we'll take a discount off of the everyday price to get it to where the price you see is the price you pay," explained Paul Cabitt, manager of the White Bridge Road Electronic Express.

Tax free holidays are good for area retailers and they could certainly use that kind of publicity now that shoppers are spending less money.

The statewide tax free holiday will return in August.