It's Tax-Free Weekend!

It’s time for Back to School shopping which means, it’s Tax Free Weekend time! 

The holiday on state sales tax begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 7. During this three-day period, you can purchase items such as school supplies, clothing and computers without paying the state portion of the sales tax, which is typically set at 4.225%. This doesn’t mean shoppers will not pay any sales tax. 

Who is participating in Tax-Free Weekend?

You do not need to be a Missouri resident to purchase items during tax-exempt items. The state is waiving the amount of tax it collects on purchases during those three days. There is also county sales tax and city sales tax.

Several dozen counties have decided they will not waive county sales tax this weekend. The list of counties where shoppers will still be required to pay county sales taxes can be found on the Missouri Department of Revenue’s website.

The list of cities that will not participate in the tax-free weekend can also be found on the Missouri Department of Revenue’s website.

What Qualifies for the State Tax Free Weekend holiday?

• Clothing – any article having a taxable value of $100 or less

• Items not included:

• Watches

• Watchbands

• Jewelry

• Handbags

• Handkerchiefs

• Umbrellas

• Scarves, ties, headbands, or belt buckles

• School supplies – not to exceed $50 per purchase

• Items not included:

• Watches

• Radios

• CD players

• Headphones

• Sporting equipment

• Portable or desktop telephones

• Computer software – taxable value of $350 or less

• Personal computers – not to exceed $1,500

• Computer peripheral devices – not to exceed $1,500

• Graphing calculators – not to exceed $150

What about online sales?

If the item meets the above qualifications and it’s delivered to a Missouri address, state sales tax will be waived. The transaction must be completed during the tax holiday, but it can be delivered after the sales tax holiday.

The sales tax holiday thresholds include mandatory shipping and handling charges as a part of the total purchase price of holiday related items.

Other Questions

You can find the Missouri’s Department of Revenue answers to other commonly-asked questions about the tax-free holiday here.