City sales tax rises to 8% today

Attention, shoppers! Today, Philadelphia's sales tax jumps to 8 cents on the dollar.

The tax has been 7 cents on the dollar, with 6 cents going to the state and 1 to the city. Now 6 cents will go to the state and 2 cents to the city.

State lawmakers last month approved the tax increase, which Mayor Nutter requested to help close a budget gap. The temporary tax increase is set to last five years and is estimated to bring in roughly $580 million during that period.

Food, clothing and medicine are exempt from the state sales tax.