Chesterfieldians to Enjoy Tax-Free, Back-To-School Shopping Aug. 5 – 7

If you’re in the market for clothes, shoes, school supplies or computers, the first weekend in August is the time to buy.

That’s when Missouri is holding its annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, saving shoppers 4.225 percent in state sales tax on certain items. It begins at midnight Friday, Aug. 5 and ends at midnight Sunday, Aug. 7.

Cities and counties within the state have the choice of whether to take part in the program. St. Louis County, which has a 2.7-percent tax rate, and Chesterfield have both opted to waive their taxes during that weekend.

“We’ve been participating in the tax holiday since it started in 2005,” said Kelly Vaughn, Chesterfield’s finance director. “The holiday does not have a significant impact on our revenues, and it’s very good for our businesses.”

Chesterfield’s tax rate is 7.925 percent, which includes 6.925 percent in state and county sales tax. Chesterfield receives the remaining 1 percent—half of which goes to a park fund and the rest goes into a capital improvement fund.

Meanwhile, the sales tax rate is 8.3 percent for businesses in the Chesterfield Valley, such as Walmart and Target. In 2005, voters approved the creation of a Transportation Development District and a special sales tax on purchases made at businesses in the district.

Items eligible for the tax exemption include:

• Clothing–an article of clothing can’t exceed $100;
• School supplies–up to $50 per purchase;
• Personal computers and peripheral devices-$3,500 or less;
• Computer software-$350 or less.

Click here for a complete list of qualified items.

One neighboring city, Wildwood, is also participating in the tax-free holiday. But Ballwin, Ellisville, Manchester and Town and Country are not participating. However, shoppers can still receive the tax exemption on state and county sales taxes at businesses in those areas. 

For a list of other cities not participating in the tax-free weekend, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website.