Missouri’s first "Green Sales Tax Holiday" is a month away But so far,the idea is not going over especially well at the local level.

The state law passed last year sets aside April 19th through 25th for people to buy some energy-efficient home appliances without paying the 4.225 percent state sales tax. But only nine counties have agreed to suspend their county sales taxes and only 57 communities have agreed to suspend theirs.

The state sales tax will be suspended in all cities and counties for certain appliances with Energy Star efficiency ratings. State and local sales taxes in some places approach eight percent.

But state revenue director Karen Mitchell admits there are some exclusions because they are not specifically listed in the law–clothes dryers, trash compactors, conventional ovens, ranges, and stoves. Lighting fixtures, computers, and television sets also are not eligible although they might have the Energy Star rating.

The things that ARE eligible are clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, water heaters, furnaces, and air conditioners.

Only the Energy Star certified appliances specifically listed in the law are eligible for the tax break that week. Mitchell and other advocates say efforts are being made this year to broaden the law.

Taking part in the holiday (as of March 17) are:

Cities: Airport Drive, Arnold, Aurora, Ava, Bethany, Bowling Green, Branson West, Brookfield, Butler, Carrollton, Cottleville, Dardenne Prairie, Desloge, Dexter, Fenton, Fredericktown, Fulton, Gladstone, Hannibal, Hazelwood, Hermann, Hillsboro, Ironton, Jackson, Kahoka, Kansas City, Kirksville, Lexington, Macon, Marble Hill, Maryville, Memphis, Mexico, Osceola, Overland, Pacific, Perryville, Platte City, Raymore, Reublic, Richmond, Rock Hill, Rock Port, Rolla, Salem, Salisbury, St. Charles, Ste. Genevieve, Sunset Hills, Tarkio, Town & Country, Union, Unionville, Warrensburg, Warsaw, Washington, and Willow Springs.

Counties: Adair, Crawford, Daviess, Gasconade, Johnson, Moran, Pettis, Ripley, and Ste Genevieve. Districts: Antioch Center Community Improvement District, KC; Central Jackson Fire Protection District; Independence Events Center CID; Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District of Jefferson County; Performing Arts CID of Kansas City; Phoenix Center CID in Washington Missouri; South Metropolitan Fire Protection District of Raymore; Town Plaza CID fo Cape Girardeau. Regardless of whether a city, district, or county is taking part, the state sales tax of 4.225% will be removed on these purchases. 

 

 

Download Bob Priddy’s story (:61 mp3)