The annual Sales Tax Holiday will begin today and last through midnight on Saturday to allow consumers to purchase clothes, just in time for back to school.
According to the Mississippi Sales Tax Holiday passed in the 2009 Legislative session, sales tax is not due on the sale of articles of clothing or footwear if the sales price of a single item is less than $100.
Clothing including pants, shirts, dresses, coats, jackets, belts, hats, undergarments and multiple piece garments sold as a set qualify for the sales tax holiday. Footwear excluding skis, swim fins, roller blades, skates and similar items also qualify.
Accessories such as jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, backpacks, briefcases and similar items do not qualify.
Mail, telephone and internet sales qualify for the holiday if they are ordered and paid for during the holiday, but shipping and handling charges are not to be included as part of the sales price of eligible items in determining whether items meet the $100 threshold.
More guidelines for the Sales Tax Holiday are available online at dor.ms.gov
“Tax free weekend is a great opportunity to shop small and take advantage of Starkville’s numerous shops and boutiques to stock up on essential back to school clothing for the new year,” Greater Starkville Development Partnership Interim CEO Jennifer Prather said.
West Point Growth Alliance Director of Main Street and Tourism Lisa Klutts agreed that tax free weekend is another great time to support local businesses for back to school shopping.
“And as a parent too, it’s definitely a way to save a little bit of money,” Klutts said. “Especially with all the fees and supplies that go along with the start of the school year, every little bit helps."