Back-to-school shoppers and other consumers were out in force on Friday to take advantage of tax-free items as both North Carolina and Virginia stores are now hosting their annual August Sales Tax Holiday.

The tax-free sales began at 12:01 a.m. Friday and in both states. Shoppers have two more days to buy clothes, school and office supplies, computers and other items without having to pay sales tax. Additionally, a number of stores offer discount sales during the weekend to further entice consumers to spend.

Included in the North Carolina sales tax exempt list are clothing, footwear and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item; computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item.

In Virginia, exempt items include individual school supply items of $20 or less; and clothing or footwear of $100 or less per item.

At Walmart on Friday, cashiers were busy ringing up shoppers who wanted to save money during the tax-free holiday.

Jennifer Elliot, assistant manager at Walmart, said extra cashiers are working to keep checkout lines moving.

Staples sales associate Katie Brewer said customers are taking advantage of not only the tax-free shopping on certain items, but the deals being offered by the store.

Dave Burr, a manager with Kmart, said the store was busy on Friday. He said there was a good crowd in the mall and lots of shoppers in Kmart. He said customers are not only saving 7 percent on the allowable items for tax-free weekend, but they are saving an additional 1 percent with the store’s loyalty card.

Tax-Free Weekend will end at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

For more information on specific items eligible for tax-exempt status in North Carolina, visit the North Carolina Department of Revenue’s website at www.dornc.com. In Virginia, visit www.tax.virginia.gov.