12:01 a.m., Friday, Aug. 2 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 4| Photo from the Missouri Department of Revenue

RobyLane Kelley
Editorial Assistant

Tax-Free Weekend — a State of Missouri initiative — aims to save parents and students money during the first full weekend of August.

Beginning Friday, Aug. 2, back to school supplies will be tax exempt. These supplies include — but are not limited to — clothes, technology and any item normally used by students in a standard classroom, according to the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Section 144.049 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMO), states during this three-day period —beginning at 12:01 a.m., Friday — a “Sales Tax Holiday” will make these items exempt from state and local taxes. This statute has the following exceptions:

Clothing — any article having a taxable value of $100 or less

School supplies — not to exceed $50 per purchase

Computer software — taxable value of $350 or less

Personal computers — not to exceed $1,500

Computer peripheral devices — not to exceed $1,500

Graphing calculators — not to exceed $150

The law, which grants citizens this opportunity, has specific guidelines for the allowed clothing, technology and school supplies at: https://dor.mo.gov/taxation/business/tax-types/sales-use/holidays/back-to-school/consumers.html. 

For instance, accessories including belt buckles, hats, purses and umbrellas do not qualify for tax-free weekend. Furthermore, headphones and sporting equipment are also not tax exempt. However, technology can include — but is not limited to — personal computers, software and printers.