The State of Georgia will hold a sales tax holiday for certain items purchased between 12:01 a.m. on July 30, 2009 and midnight August 2, 2009. House Bill 120 provides for a sales tax exemption from both state and local sales taxes.
During the sales tax holiday period, a sales tax exemption applies to purchases of tangible personal property in the following categories:
• Articles of clothing: the exemption applies to articles of clothing and footwear with a sales price of $100 or less per item. Clothing accessories such as handbags, umbrellas, cuff links, handkerchiefs, jewelry, key cases, wallets, watches and watch bands, and ponytail holders and/or similar hair products are not exempt.
• Personal computer: a single purchase of $1,500 or less of personal computers and/or related accessories are exempt. If the single purchase exceeds $1,500, the entire transaction is taxable.
• General school supplies: the exemption applies to the purchase of general school supplies with a sales price of $20 or less per item.
The exemptions are intended for an individual’s personal use. The exemptions exclude items rented, leased, purchased by businesses or purchased for resale. The exemptions do not apply to items sold at theme parks, entertainment complexes, hotels, restaurants, and airports.
For more information, and a list of items that will and will not be exempt, visit the 2009 Sales Tax Holiday page at http://etax.dor.ga.gov/salestax/holiday/2009/index.aspx.
Open house could easily be done a few days before the tax holiday so that the students could know exactly what they need in time. From my experience some of the more anal retentive teachers go nuts with their requirements though and their lists NEVER reflect what you find out they want on the first day of school.
Start with this
1 1/2 to 2 inch notebook for each class, notebook paper, at least 5 dividers for each class, pens (blue/black) pencils, scientific calculator, page protectors, ruler, I would recommend a locker shelf, book bag, Some other items to consider, folder with prongs (2), agenda to keep up with dates, protractor, reinforcements, colored pencils for science, markers for projects...
I hope this helps