Quarter Cent Sales Tax

Ebony Burnett supports the quarter-cent (0.25%) sales tax increase in Guilford County as a strategic investment in our public education system. Investing in our educators and school infrastructure is crucial for our students' success and our community's future. This modest tax adjustment is designed to generate approximately $25 million annually, which would be allocated to:

• Increasing compensation for teachers and classified school staff, including bus drivers and cafeteria workers.

• Enhancing educational resources and infrastructure to provide a better learning environment for all students.

• Reduce the reliance on property taxes, distributing the funding responsibility more equitably among residents and visitors.

Items Subject to the Additional Sales Tax:

The quarter-cent sales tax would apply to most goods and services currently taxed under North Carolina's existing sales tax framework, including:

• Clothing and footwear

• Electronics and appliances

• Household goods and furniture

• Prepared meals and beverages (e.g., restaurant dining, takeout)

• Entertainment and admission fees (e.g., movie tickets, concerts)

• Certain services, such as repairs and maintenance

This means that for every $100 spent on these taxable items, consumers would only pay an additional 25 cents. 

Items Exempt from the Additional Tax

To minimize the impact on essential living expenses, the following items would not be subject to the quarter-cent sales tax increase:

• Groceries intended for home consumption (e.g., fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products)

• Prescription medications

• Gasoline and motor fuels

• Motor vehicles

• Certain agricultural supplies and equipment

These exemptions are in place to ensure that the tax does not disproportionately affect basic necessities.