Tax-Free Shopping Aug. 5-7 For Back-To-School

If you’re in the market for clothes, shoes, school supplies or computers, the first weekend in August is the time to buy.

That’s when Missouri has its annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, saving shoppers 4.225 percent in state sales tax.

It begins midnight Fri., Aug. 5 and ends midnight Sun., Aug. 7.

Cities and counties have a choice whether to take part in the program. St. Louis County, which has a 2.7-percent tax rate, will give the tax break on those three days.

Both Crestwood and Sunset Hills have opted to waive their taxes during that weekend, with city officials saying they do it every year because it generates business overall in the towns.

Items eligible for the tax exemption include:

• Clothing—items costing no more than $100
• School supplies—up to $50 per purchase
• Personal computers and peripheral devices—up to $3,500
• Computer software—up to $350.

Click here for a complete list of qualified items.

Ballwin, Ellisville, Manchester and Town and Country are not participating. However, the state and county sales tax exemptions are still in effect on those three days in those cities. 

For a list of other cities, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website.