South County Residents Can Shop Tax-Free this Weekend

If you’re in the market for clothes, shoes, school supplies or computers, the first weekend in August is the time to buy.

That’s when Missouri is holding its annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, saving shoppers 4.225 percent in state sales tax on certain items. It begins at midnight Friday, Aug. 5 and ends at midnight Sunday, Aug. 7.

Cities and counties within the state have the choice of whether to take part in the program. St. Louis County, which has a 2.7-percent tax rate, has opted to waive their taxes during that weekend.

Items eligible for the tax exemption include:

• Clothing– an article of clothing can’t exceed $100;
• School supplies– up to $50 per purchase;
• Personal computers and peripheral devices- $3,500 or less;
• Computer software- $350 or less.

Click here for a complete list of qualified items.

Some municipalities, such as Ballwin, Ellisville, Manchester and Town and Country are not participating. However, shoppers can still receive the tax exemption on state and county sales taxes at businesses in those areas. 

For a list of other cities not participating in the tax-free weekend, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website.