Stores, shoppers prepare for annual sales tax holiday

Once again parents can get a good deal on those jeans, backpacks and pencils that will inevitably be needed in just a few short weeks, teachers can stock up on extra classroom supplies and retailers can relish a pickup of sales.

Missouri's annual back-to-school sales tax holiday begins this year at midnight today and ends midnight Sunday. During the weekend, the state waives the 4.225 percent sales tax charged on most items needed for a return to classes, including clothing and computers. Many counties and cities also waive sales taxes.

Local retailers like Nearly Perfect Shoes are looking forward to the holiday once again this year and are making preparations.

Aaron Johnson, a sales associate at the Jackson store, said employees are trying this week to make sure they are well stocked on athletic shoes, a big back-to-school seller.

Johnson said the Jackson store does well during the weekend every year, mostly because Jackson also waives the city sales tax, but traffic is usually up in the Cape Girardeau store as well, even though the city will not waive its 2.75 percent tax this year. Cape Girardeau County's tax rate is 5.225 percent.

Cities and counties can choose whether to waive the taxes they apply to purchases.

Mary Kirn, owner of Kidstop in Cape Girardeau, which sells uniform clothing items, said her business increases by as much as 25 percent during the sales tax holiday and that she expects to do very well this year with the Cape Girardeau School District requiring students to wear certain items to comply with a new dress code.

Kirn and some other retailers decide to give shoppers even more incentive by paying the city portion of the sales tax themselves.

"We are disappointed that Cape doesn't do it," Kirn said, "but we will be extremely busy."

Kirn said she gives offers to pay the city portion of the tax because she believes it is very meaningful to people to be able to save money on items they can't go without for school.

"Every little bit helps," she said.

Kidstop will also stay open extended hours for the sales tax holiday -- it is normally closed on Sunday, but not this year.

Parents like Jennifer Redinger plan to take part in the savings by shopping this weekend and visiting as many stores as possible.

"We always fly by the seat of our pants when we go," Redinger said of the back-to-school shopping trips she does every year with her two sons, who are in fourth grade and 10th grade in Cape Girardeau public schools.

The family will visit Walmart, Target, Kohl's and likely the mall, Redinger said, for jeans, gym clothes and some classroom supplies.

Students out shopping this weekend may see some familiar faces, as teachers and principals also say they plan to be out buying for the upcoming school year while some savings are available.

Franklin Elementary principal Rhonda Dunham said she shops every year during the sales tax holiday for extra school supplies and clothing to keep on hand in case students need it.

One of Franklin's fourth-grade teachers, Malissa Beecham, said she likes to have extra folders, notebooks, crayons and markers in her classroom, so she may also go shopping this weekend.

Items that are exempt from state taxes and taxes in participating communities include clothing costing $100 or less; $50 per purchase of school supplies; computer software of $350 or less; and personal computers and related devices costing less than $3,500.

A full list of guidelines that apply to the sales tax holiday is available on the Missouri Department of Revenue's website.

eragan@semissourian.com

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