MANCHESTER — The new school year is just around the corner, and it’s time to get ready for some back-to-school shopping. The tax-free holiday has arrived, starting today and running through Sunday.
Here’s a look at what’s tax-exempt:
Clothing items with a taxable value of $100 or less.
School supplies below $50 per purchase are also tax-exempt.
Computer software valued at $350 or less.
Personal computers priced at $15 or less.
Computer accessories such as mice, keyboards, and external hard drives, each priced at $15 or less.
Graphic calculators costing $150 or less are also eligible for tax exemption.
Missouri is one of only 16 states in the country offering tax-free back-to-school shopping. Illinois is not this year. Malls are open from 10 in the morning to 8 p.m. today and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Walmart is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.
Missouri cities and counties can no longer “opt out” of the tax holiday weekend that they could do that in years past. Illinois had a tax-free weekend last year. But it was not renewed for this year. State Representative Kevin Schmidt of Millstadt has introduced a bill to bring it back to Illinois next year.