Northeast News
July 26, 2012

Missouri residents can save extra money on back-to-school items starting Friday, Aug. 3, as part of the back-to-school tax-free holiday.

The tax-free weekend will last through Sunday, Aug. 5. This holiday allows residents to purchase necessary back-to-school items without the 4.225 percent state sales tax.

“If you need a computer, school supplies or clothes, now would be a good time to begin planning to buy these items during the sales tax holiday,” said Alana M. Barragán-Scott, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue. “Saving more than 4 percent is significant, especially on more expensive items like computers.”

The tax holiday applies to merchandise in the following four categories: clothing that does not have a value of more than $100; school supplies that do not exceed $50 per purchase and are used in a standard classroom for educational purposes; and personal computers and computer peripheral devices that do not exceed $3,500.

The tax holiday is not only for Missouri residents; out-of-state shoppers can benefit, too.

“Out-of-state residents can save just as much as Missourians,” Barragán-Scott said.  “The key is that the purchase has to be made in Missouri between Aug. 3rd and 5th.  I encourage our neighbors from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and the other border states to come to Missouri and save money on school supplies, clothes, personal computers and other items while they shop here.”

Although this holiday is statewide and Kansas City will be participating, 166 cities, 49 counties and 71 special districts have opted out of the tax-free weekend. For more information visit http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school/.