Missouri House OKs bill giving shoppers a tax break

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri shoppers would get a tax break under a bill given initial House approval.

The legislation would waive the state sales tax on any purchase of up to $600 made from June 27-29. The tax break is intended to encourage Missourians to spend their federal tax rebates.

The bill also would create a tax holiday for energy-efficient items.

There would be no sales tax on the first $1,500 of the price for certain items like dishwashers, air conditioners, furnaces and light bulbs. This year, the tax holiday would run from November 7-13. In future years, it would occur April 19-25 to coincide with Earth Day.

The state already has a sales tax holiday for school supplies in August.