The much-anticipated Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is just around the corner, offering significant savings for families preparing for the upcoming school year. This year, the tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, and runs through midnight on Sunday, Aug. 4.
What is the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday?
Section 144.049, RSMo, establishes a sales tax holiday that spans a three-day period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and concluding at midnight on the following Sunday. During this time, certain back-to-school purchases such as clothing, school supplies, and computers are exempt from sales tax. This exemption applies to both state and local sales taxes, providing a broader scope of savings than in previous years.
Qualifying Items and Exemptions
The sales tax exemption covers a range of items essential for back-to-school preparation. Here’s a breakdown of what qualifies:
Clothing: Any article of wearing apparel intended to be worn on or about the human body, including disposable diapers for infants or adults and footwear, is exempt if it has a taxable value of $100 or less. This category does not include accessories such as watches, jewelry, handbags, or belt buckles.
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School Supplies: Items typically used by students in a standard classroom for educational purposes are exempt, with a limit of $50 per purchase. This includes textbooks, notebooks, paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, handheld calculators, and graphing calculators valued at $150 or less. Notably, items like sporting equipment, portable or desktop telephones, copiers, office equipment, furniture, or fixtures are not included in the exemption.
Computers and Software: Personal computers and peripheral devices are also included in the tax holiday, with personal computers not exceeding $1,500 and computer software having a taxable value of $350 or less qualifying for the exemption. Personal computers refer to laptops, desktops, or tower computer systems, including essential components such as a central processing unit, random access memory, storage drive, display monitor, keyboard, and additional devices designed for use with a personal computer, like a mouse, printer, or scanner.
Making the Most of the Sales Tax Holiday
To maximize your savings during the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, consider making a shopping list ahead of time and prioritizing the purchase of qualifying items. Be mindful of the price limits for each category to ensure you benefit fully from the tax exemptions.
This annual event is a fantastic opportunity for families to stock up on essential school supplies, clothing, and technology at a reduced cost. Mark your calendars and take advantage of the savings from August 2 to August 4. Happy shopping!