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For the first time in 12 years, NC parents are back-to-school shopping without the help of the tax-free holiday.

The sales tax holiday was canceled this year as part of a tax reform package passed by the NC General Assembly last year. Moms and dads particularly need this tax-free weekend because school supply budgets have been deeply cut, and we are being asked to make up the difference.

Send a note to your lawmaker letting them know how the loss of the tax-free weekend hurts your family. They need to know the impact these changes have on our families and that they must repeal them next session.

Feel free to edit the letter to share your own thoughts!

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Subject: Frustrated by no NC tax-free weekend? Your message to friends:

Hi,

If you are as frustrated as I am by the loss of NC's tax-free weekend for back-to-school shopping, check out this alert urging lawmakers to repeal the changes to the tax structure that hurt working families.

Thanks,
Autumn

***********
Dear Autumn,

It’s that time of year! Parents across the state usually have the first weekend of August circled in red on their calendars to get all of their back to school supplies on tax free weekend.

But not this year.

For the first time in 12 years, parents are back-to-school shopping without the help of the tax-free holiday, thanks to the tax reform package passed last year by the General Assembly. The sales tax holiday allowed parents to save between 6.75 and 7.5 percent on items they purchase for the school year. [1]

Send a note to your lawmaker letting them know how the loss of the tax-free weekend hurts your family. They need to know the impact these changes have on NC families and that they must repeal them next session. http://action.momsrising.org/letter/taxfreeweekend/?referring_akid=5683.2093371.zT7qHK&source=taf

In the past, families with school-aged children have used this weekend to save on school essentials, and 77% of those families report that the tough economy impacts their spending plans. [2] Families in our state have saved an estimated $14.7 million during previous tax holiday weekends. [3]

The sales tax holiday was canceled this year as part of a tax reform package passed by the General Assembly last year. Moms and dads particularly need this tax-free weekend because school supply budgets have been deeply cut, and we are being asked to make up the difference.

Family-friendly tax policies are needed across the board in NC. The tax reform package also included the elimination of the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which benefited 900,000 workers and nearly 1.2 million NC children, helping lift them out of poverty and allowing their families to meet basic needs such as shelter, food, utilities, transportation, and childcare. [4]

Instead, the tax package gave the wealthiest North Carolinians and corporations a tax break and shifted the tax burden onto the remaining 80% of families, including canceling this much-needed tax-free weekend for shopping for back to school supplies. [5]

An estimated $680 million in revenue has been lost because of the tax plan that was passed, and NC will lose $5.3 billion over the next five years in the funds that pay for education, healthcare, and more. [6] North Carolina spends less today on K-12 education than it did just 5 years ago, even though there are more students and even more needs that are going unmet. [7]

Let lawmakers know how you feel about how tax reform short-changed working families. Send a note today asking them to repeal the changes next session! http://action.momsrising.org/letter/taxfreeweekend/?referring_akid=5683.2093371.zT7qHK&source=taf

And parents aren’t the only ones upset about the loss of the tax-free holiday. Businesses are also concerned. Previously, this weekend has been good for businesses as well, driving business into local malls, outlets, and other retailers. It has increased employment and payroll taxes as more employees are hired to help meet the popularity of this weekend. [8]

South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia are having their tax-free holidays this weekend. Families in those states will have the option to save money on items they need, while families in North Carolina had their tax-free holiday taken away last legislative session to support tax cuts for the rich.

We know that families try to do a lot with a limited budget. Our lawmakers needs to know it, too.

Together we are a powerful voice for North Carolina families!

-Melea, Beth, Tracy, Ruth, and the whole NC MomsRising team

P.S. Your stories are powerful! Share your experience with how not having the tax-free weekend hurts your family, or how recent cuts have hurt your school.

https://www.momsrising.org/member_stories/topic/how-does-losing-ncs-taxfree-weekend-hurt-your-family/?referring_akid=5683.2093371.zT7qHK&source=taf

[1] “NC Sales Tax Holiday Gone, but SC Has One this Weekend,” Charlotte Observer, July 30, 2014.

[2] “NC Retail Merchants Association Announces Sales Tax Holiday Aug. 2-4, 2013,” NC Retail Merchants Association, July 3, 2013.

[3] Ibid.

[4] “Close to One Million North Carolinians Will Claim State Earned Income tax Credit for Last Time this Tax Season,” NC Policy Watch, March 13, 2014.

[5] “Most North Carolinians Will Pay More State Taxes in 204 Under New Plan,” NC Policy Watch, December 30, 2013.

[6] “State Tax Cut Costs Ballooning,” WRAL, July 25, 2014.

[7] “Every Child Deserves a Quality Education: 2013-2015 Budget Doesn’t Meet the Mark,” Together NC, September 2013.

[8] Ibid.

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School supply list breaking the bank? Tell NC leaders what losing tax-free weekend means for your family!

Dear Legislator,
 
As your constituent and a MomsRising member, I’m writing to share my concerns about the elimination of NC’s back-to-school tax-free weekend and other changes included in the tax reform package that hurts families.

This weekend is typically a big one for NC families as we take our children to pick up the supplies they’ll need for the school year. Families have saved an estimated $14.7 million during previous tax holiday weekends.  While not a huge amount in the scope of the state budget, every bit helps for families struggling to ensure that our children have the tools they’ll need to succeed in the classroom.

And it’s not just this weekend. Family-friendly tax policies are needed across the board in North Carolina. The tax reform package also included the elimination of the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which benefited 900,000 workers and nearly 1.2 million NC children, helping lift them out of poverty and allowing their families to meet basic needs such as shelter, food, utilities, transportation, and childcare.

Instead, the wealthiest North Carolinians and corporations received a tax break while shifting the tax burden onto the bottom 80 percent of NC residents. And, as a result, our state is losing needed revenue to fund education, health programs, early learning programs, and child care subsidies that families need.

Once you return to your district, we hope you will take the opportunity to meet with families impacted by these decisions and reconsider whether this tax reform plan is really meeting the needs of your constituents and our state.

I appreciate your time and service.

Sincerely,

G-FKC1JKZLDL

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School supply list breaking the bank? Tell NC leaders what losing tax-free weekend means for your family!