Statewide sales tax holiday set for Aug. 4-6

Nevada Daily Mail

The first day of school is just around the corner, and the back-to-school shopping season will once again get a boost Aug. 4-6, with the statewide sales tax holiday.

Legislators first OK'd the sales tax holiday in 2004, to give consumers a break when it comes to getting all those back-to-school needs like supplies and clothing. The Missouri Sales Tax Holiday became an annual event with legislation passed in the 2005 Legislative Session.

"The Missouri Sales Tax Holiday drives sales across the borders, off of the Internet, and into Missouri retailers" said Jeff Craver, Missouri Chamber of Commerce tax counsel.

Some cities and counties have voted to "opt out" of the local sales tax exemption, but the Missouri Chamber disagrees with the motive behind that action.

"Some cities and counties view the Missouri Sales Tax Holiday as a potential loss of revenue. The Missouri Chamber sees it as a savings to Missouri families," said Craver.

Vernon County has once again opted out of the holiday, but the city of Nevada has not, so shoppers in our area will pay only the county's portion of sales tax for certain back-to-school items.

Nevada's downtown merchants are getting into the act as well, with a sidewalk sale planned for the same weekend.

"This year, the committee has really made an effort to get together with chamber and non-chamber members and make this something a lot of folks are participating in," said Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce director Kathi Wysong.

The chamber itself is hosting a moving sale, they are looking to get rid of things accumulated during their time in the Team Bank building.

Participating businesses include: Greenfield's Harvest House, Sports Stuff and Golden Needle Embroidery, Nevada Discount Building Materials, Orscheln Farm and Home, Sutherland's, Casa Azteca, Floors and More, EMS Hunting and Fishing, Interior Motives, J Wray's Yarn Barn, Loretta's Attic, Young Computers, Davison Shoes and Verco Sporting Good, Belle Rose Floral and Gifts, Second Edition Shoppe, Dress Code, Nine Patch Quilt & Fabrics, Ellis Furniture Co, Rinehart Jewelry, Jim's Appliance, Hertzberg Furniture w/ Perfect Touch, TeamBank "Relay for Life" garage sale: 201 E. Cherry on Saturday; Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce moving sale,201 E. Cherry, on Saturday… May's Floral, Wilkinson Pharmacy, Ring TV and Appliance, Cavener's Library and Office Supply, Hammontree Appliance and Repair, Don's Flea Market, Donna's, Nevada Sunrise Family Restaurant, Cherry Street Treasures, McDonald's.

According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, the sales tax exemption is limited to:

* Clothing -- any article having a taxable value of $100 or less Clothing does not include watches, watchbands, jewelry, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands, or belt buckles.

* School supplies -- not to exceed $50 per purchase. School supplies are any item normally used by students in a standard classroom for educational purposes. Textbooks, notebooks, paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, handheld calculators, chalk, maps, and globes all qualify.

* Computer software -- taxable value of $350 or less.

* Personal computers -- not to exceed $3,500. A laptop, desktop, or tower computer system.

* Computer peripheral devices -- not to exceed $3,500. Basically any hardware that is located outside of the main computer case. Examples include multimedia speakers, printers, digitalizers, microphones, mice, and scanners.