State back-to-school sales tax holiday to be held Aug. 6-8

The state’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday will be Aug. 6-8, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Revenue. Items such as clothes, computers and school supplies will be exempt from state sales tax only.

By state law, the sales tax holiday begins on the first Friday in August and continues through the following Sunday, according to the release. This year, the three-day holiday begins at midnight Aug. 6 and runs through Aug. 8.  

During this time period, the state’s 4.225 percent sales tax will not be assessed on certain purchases made in Missouri.

Local governments can participate in the holiday and forgo local sales tax collection or can opt out of the holiday and maintain local tax revenue during the holiday.

Locally, counties that have opted out of the holiday and will charge sales tax include: Greene, Christian, Dallas, Webster, Taney and Stone. Area cities that have opted out include: Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, Bolivar, Branson, Marshfield, Reeds Spring and Willard.

“The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday benefits families because it gives them the opportunity to save more than 4 percent on the purchases of many clothing, school supply and computer items,” said Alana M. Barragán-Scott, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue. “Families and students can begin to plan what they need to buy now and save when they make qualified purchases during the first weekend in August.”

The appropriate sales tax will not be charged on the following items during the holiday:

• Clothing costing less than $100  
• School supplies, not exceeding $50 per purchase, that are used in a standard classroom for educational purposes  
• Personal computers and computer devices costing less than $3,500

A total of 171 cities, 51 counties and 46 special districts have voted not to participate in the holiday.

A list of the local governments that have opted out of the holiday and the answers to frequently asked questions about the holiday can be can be accessed here. Other questions can be directed to salesuse@dor.mo.gov or (573) 751-2836.[[In-content Ad]]