State Tax Holiday

Statewide Sales Tax Holiday runs Aug. 7-9

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State Rep. Steve Hodges, D-East Prairie, is encouraging area residents to take advantage of Missouri's annual Sales Tax Holiday, which begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9.

During the holiday the state sales tax of 4.225 percent will be lifted on certain purchases of clothing, school supplies and computer equipment. Local sales taxes will also be lifted in cities and counties that are choosing to participate in the holiday.

"For the many families having difficulty with the ongoing recession, Missouri's Sales Tax Holiday provides some relief to the family budget in purchasing needed back-to-school supplies and clothing," Hodges said. "I encourage everyone to take advantage of this temporary tax break."

The state sales tax -- and local sales taxes in participating cities and counties -- will be lifted on:

* Articles of clothing costing no more than $100

* School supplies up to $50 per purchase

* Computer software costing up to $350

* Personal computers costing up to $3,500

* Computer peripheral devices costing up to $3,500

Lists of cities and counties that are not participating in the Sales Tax Holiday can be found by going to the Missouri Department of Revenue's Web site -- dor.mo.gov -- and clicking on the "2009 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday Information" link. Even in communities where local sales taxes will remain in place, the state sales tax will still be lifted.