County readies for tax holiday

Cape Girardeau County shoppers will have the next three days to take advantage of tax-free shopping on back-to-school items during a special sales tax holiday.

The reprieve from the 2-cent local tax as well as state taxes runs Friday through Sunday. The holiday applies to any article of clothing priced at $100 or less and school supplies that do not exceed $50 per purchase.

Consumers may also purchase personal computers and computer software tax free during that three-day period. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, both laptop and desktop computer systems fall within that category. Devices used in conjunction with a computer, such as keyboards, disk drives, microphones and modems are also included.

A bill passed by the legislature drops the state's 4.225 percent sales tax on specific items sold anywhere in Missouri during the holiday. Cities and counties were given the option of dropping their sales taxes.

The cities of Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville and Scott City along with Perry, Cape Girardeau and Scott counties are among the local entities that voted to drop their taxes for the holiday.

Local businesses are hoping the three-day holiday will mean increased sales during that period.

Deborah Dickson, women's apparel manager at J.C. Penney in Cape Girardeau, said preparations for the holiday will be taken care of at the corporate office, which programs cash registers for special occasions. She expects an increase in sales.

"A lot of people will spend more money if it's tax free," Dickson said.

Though the holiday is aimed at back-to-school shopping, items do not have to be purchased for students. Any consumer can take advantage of the tax-free items as long as they fall within state guidelines.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, ext. 128