The Missouri Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is a great time to stock up on supplies needed for the upcoming school year. In Missouri, the tax-free holiday starts at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 5th and lasts through Sunday, August 7th. During this period, qualified purchases are exempt from sales tax. Be aware not all cities and counties in Missouri observe this holiday.
WHAT ITEMS ARE EXEMPT FROM SALES TAX?
Below is a list of categories that qualify for Missouri’s sales tax holiday.
- Clothing – any article having a taxable value of $100 or less
- School supplies – not to exceed $50 per purchase
- 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
The Missouri DOR website has definitions for each qualifying category.
WHAT ITEMS DO NOT QUALIFY?
There are several common items that do not qualify for the tax-free holiday, including:
- Batteries
- Facial tissues
- CD and MP3 players
- Furniture or fixtures
- Copiers and stand-alone printers
- Headphones
- Watches, watchbands and jewelry
- Sporting equipment
- Envelopes
- Portable telephones
WHICH STATES DOES THIS APPLY TO?
In 2022, sales tax holidays are recognized in 19 states, including Missouri. However, you do not have to be a resident of one of these states to benefit from the sales tax holiday. Sales tax holidays vary by state, so be sure to check your state’s dates and qualifications.
If you live in Illinois, check out the upcoming tax free weekend savings here.
Do All Cities in Missouri Participate?
Cities may choose not to participate in the sales tax holiday, which means that city sales tax will still be collected on qualifying items. The DOR has a list of Missouri cities opting out of the sales tax holiday.
Do items purchased online qualify for the sales tax exemption?
Yes, if the purchase is made of the qualifying items during the holiday, then online purchases qualify. Delivery can occur after the holiday if the purchaser pays in full during the sales tax holiday.
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