The start of school is just days away in much of Missouri. Even closer is the annual Back to School Sales Tax Holiday. But next weekend’s merchandising promotion is misnamed.

Starting at midnight Friday and continuing through Saturday and Sunday, a lot of items can be bought in thousands of stores without paying the state sales tax. In most Missouri counties and in hundreds of communities the local sales taxes will be lifted, too.

Don’t rush out to buy a new bowling ball…or sewing machine…or big-screen TV….or a new car. Those things are not considered "school supplies" and it is school supplies that are exempt from the sales taxes.

The good thing, says Department of Revenue spokesman Ted Farnen, is that you do not have to prove the things you buy actually are for school. "Anyone is eligible to save on the items," he says.

As much as 100-dollars in clothes can be bought–but purses, watches and other accessories don’t count. School supplies are included—and that can mean computers costing as much as 35-hundred dollars.

For information about products that qualify for the exemption and for a list of cities and counties that are NOT taking part in next weekend’s holiday, go to these links:

What you can buy:

http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school/consumers.htm

Cities that will continue to charge their local sales tax:

http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school/cities.php

Counties that will continue to charge their county sales taxes

http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school/counties.php

Districts that will continue to charge their special taxes:

http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school/districts.php

Questions? Try here:

http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school/faq.htm

 

 

upload BP’s interview with Ted Farnen (9:20 mp3)