Sales tax holiday starts tomorrow

School supplies, personal computers, software and some types of clothing are among the items that will be exempt from the state’s 4.225 percent sales tax beginning tomorrow and continuing until midnight Aug. 3.

Specifically, the exemption applies to:

• any article of clothing having a taxable value of $100 or less;

• school supplies, not to exceed $50 per purchase;

• computer software with a taxable value of $350 or less; and

• personal computers and peripheral devices, not to exceed $3,500.

“The break from state taxes is a great opportunity for families to prepare for the new school year,” Blunt said in a news release. “With high gas prices, and increasing costs at grocery checkout counters, Missouri families will find some relief during this sales tax holiday.”

Shoppers at Battlefield Mall may find more savings during the sales tax holiday, as some merchants at the mall are offering a special discount, according to a separate news release from Simon Property Group.

Participating retailers are offering an additional 5 percent discount during the sales tax holiday. Also, items that aren’t eligible for the state sales tax exemption will still be discounted 5 percent, the release said. A complete list of participating mall merchants is available at www.battlefieldmall.com.

While the governor’s release noted that local tax jurisdictions can choose to participate in the tax holiday and provide exemptions for local sales tax, the exemption for state sales tax will be enforced in all Missouri counties.

The city of Springfield is not providing a local sales tax exemption during the state sales tax holiday. City spokeswoman Louise Whall said via e-mail that Springfield City Council passed a bill about a year ago to have a standing opt-out in place for the holiday so that the issue wouldn't have to be voted on every year.