For many retailers, tax-free weekend is one of the busiest shopping events of the year. Whether you sell clothing, footwear, school supplies, or qualifying merchandise, customers expect a fast, accurate checkout experience, and they expect the correct taxes to be applied.
The good news? A little preparation before the weekend begins can help your store avoid long lines, pricing errors, and unnecessary stress. Here are a few things every retailer should check before tax-free weekend arrives.
Verify Your Tax-Free Weekend Setup
Before customers begin arriving, make sure your tax rules are configured for your state’s tax-free holiday. Take time to verify:
- Eligible product categories
- Price thresholds (if applicable)
- Start and end dates
- Tax jurisdictions
- Register testing
Every state has different rules, so it’s important to confirm your settings before the event begins.
Test Your POS Before the Weekend
Don’t wait until your first customer is standing at the register.
Run several test transactions using qualifying and non-qualifying merchandise to confirm taxes are calculated correctly. Testing ahead of time helps identify configuration issues before they impact customers.
Stock High-Demand Items
Tax-free weekend often brings a surge in shoppers looking for:
- Backpacks
- School supplies
- Apparel
- Shoes
- Electronics (where eligible)
Review inventory levels and reorder fast-moving products before the rush begins.
Prepare Your Staff
Busy weekends mean more questions from customers. Make sure employees understand:
- Which products qualify
- Price limits
- Returns and exchanges
- Split transactions
- Customer questions
Confident employees create faster checkouts and better customer experiences.
Have a Backup Plan
Busy shopping weekends can put extra strain on both equipment and staff. Before the event:
- Check receipt paper
- Verify scanners
- Test payment devices
- Confirm backups
- Know who to contact if support is needed
A little preparation can prevent unnecessary downtime during your busiest sales days.
How Mainspring Can Help
If you’re using NCR Counterpoint and need assistance preparing for tax-free weekend, our team can help review your tax configuration, answer questions, and ensure your system is ready before the first customer walks through the door.
Tax-free weekend only comes around once a year, but the preparation you do beforehand can make a big difference.
By verifying your system, testing transactions, preparing your inventory and staff, and confirming your technology is ready, you’ll be in a great position to provide a fast, accurate, and stress-free shopping experience.
