“It makes a big difference:” Local shoppers taking advantage of sales tax holiday

GREENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) – Shoppers across the state are taking advantage of a five day sales tax holiday.

Beginning Wednesday morning, shoppers in Wisconsin won’t have to pay sales tax on clothing, computers and school supplies.

At Southridge Mall in Greendale, one mom was getting her children all of their back-to-school items.

“It’s kind of an extra perk, I mean hopefully they’re running sales in the stores and then you can also get the no sales tax so it makes a big difference when you’re spending for a bunch of kids,” Shopper Jill Dickman said.

Governor Walker signed a bill in April that created the one-time holiday.

There are some rules that come along with the deal:

• Clothing - sales price of each item must be $75 or less
• Computers must be for personal use – sales price of each computer must be $750 or less
• School computer supplies must be for personal use – sales price of each item must be $250 or less
• School supplies – sales price of each item must be $75 or less

The sales tax holiday isn’t only a perk for shoppers, retailers said they expect the five-day period to be great for business.

"They [stores] have had their sister stores from other states that have had this sale going on in their states report double or sometimes triple sales,” Southridge Mall general manager Mary Mokwa said.

Gov. Walker’s office said taxpayers across the state are expected to save around $15 million through Sunday.

More information on the sales tax holiday can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website.