You know the first day of school is just around the corner when the annual sales tax holiday rolls around. This Friday and Saturday, July 28-29, clothing and shoes will be tax exempt throughout Mississippi.
The annual sales tax holiday was created by the Mississippi Legislature in 2009. According to the state’s guidelines, the exemption includes clothing and footwear “with sales prices of less than $100 per article during the sales tax holiday. The tax holiday does not apply to sales of any other items not defined as clothing or footwear.”
A seven percent discount on school clothes and shoes may not seem like great savings, but combined with store sales, this weekend is definitely the time to shop. Some of our local retailers in Carroll and Montgomery counties are slashing prices upward of 50 percent this weekend. Tack on that additional seven percent, and you get some of the best savings of the year.
With the cost of raising a child continuing to grow, we parents are appreciative of the savings – any shape or form.
My child seems to be constantly in a growth spurt. I stocked up on summer clothing back in April, and by June, nothing seemed to fit. In July, I was stocking up again. This weekend, I will be buying sizes two and three sizes larger than needed. He might look like he raided an older sibling’s wardrobe for a while, but at least his new school clothes might last until cooler temperatures come.
When passing the sales tax holiday, the Mississippi Legislature was hoping for more than just a little financial relief for parents. It was looking to keep revenue in Mississippi to strengthen the economy. Clothing and shoes are tax exempt, but parents still need to purchase backpacks, lunch boxes, notebooks, pencils, paper and so on – items that are not covered by the tax exemption.
In Carroll and Montgomery counties, shopping local is so important. Not only are you supporting your friends and neighbors who own businesses, but you are investing in your home community. That investment can be seen in local schools, the public library, smooth streets, public safety, reliable water and sewer service, and recreational expansions.
What’s more, local merchants make it easy to shop in their stores by not only offering great savings as they are this weekend, but local customer service is exceptional community-wide.
Happy shopping!
