The Mississippi sales tax holiday on the purchase of clothes and footwear this weekend is expected to bring a savings to shoppers and to area businesses.
The sales tax holiday is Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30. Hours for the tax free period are 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 29, through midnight, July 30.
According to the Mississippi Sales Tax Holiday passed in the 2009 legislative session, sales tax is not due on the sale of articles of clothing or footwear if the sale price of a single item is less than $100.
In the guidelines for purchases, clothing is defined as any article of apparel designed to be worn and includes pants, shirts, blouses, dresses, coats, jackets, belts, hats, undergarments and multiple piece garments sold as a set. Footwear is any apparel for feet except for skis, swim fins, roller blades, skates and any similar item.
Accessories such as jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, backpacks, briefcases and similar items do not qualify for the tax free purchase days.
The tax holiday does not apply to sales of any other items not defined as clothing or footwear.
Management at Wal-Mart said the tax free holiday is expected to bring in more than usual shoppers, especially those interested in buying clothing for back-to-school students. Devin Smith, an assistant manager at Wal-Mart, said balloons will be displayed throughout the store on the designated tax-free days to draw attention to the promotion.
Christy Massey with Massey’s Clothing Store said she expects to see an increase in sales during the two days, especially for the clothing which fits the dress code of most schools.
“Even if you don’t need school clothes, you can save money shopping during the sales-tax holiday, and you can find some great deals and unique merchandise by shopping small,” according to Ron Aldridge, state director of the National Foundation of Independent Business.
