Area sales tax ratesIf you’re like most folks this time of year, you’re making a list and checking it twice, comparing prices between different stores and scouring the Internet, all in an effort to get the lowest prices on Christmas presents. And for good reason.
The average adult plans to spend $854 on gifts this holiday season, according to a survey performed by American Research Group, Inc. That means an average couple will see the total cost of their Christmas shopping list exceed $1,700.
You may not realize that one of the easiest ways to save big this holiday season could be to simply drive across county lines.
An analysis of the sales tax rates of every city and county in the Chattanooga Times Free Press circulation area found the sales taxes applied to retail purchases varied from as little as 5 percent to as much as 9.75 percent, depending on where you shop.
With the same stores (Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy, for example) and the same prices, common to many towns in Southeast Tennessee, Northwest Georgia, Northeast Alabama and Southwest North Carolina, and so many retailers willing to match the price of their competitors, the only real way to save this holiday season might be to shop at stores in jurisdictions with low sales taxes.