Wentzville Residents 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. Charles County, which has a 1.5-percent tax rate, and  have both opted to waive their taxes during that weekend.

Wentzville’s tax rate is 8.450 percent, which includes 5.95 percent in state and county sales tax. Wentzville receives the remaining 2.5 percent.

The city's sales taxes are as follows:

• City Parks — 0.50 percent
• City General — 1 percent
• City Capital — 0.50 percent
• City Transportation — 0.50 percent
• County General — 0.50 percent
• County Transportation — 0.50 percent
• County Operating — 0.25 percent
• County Capital — 0.25 percent
• Children and Family Services — 0.125 percent
• Metro Park — 0.10 percent
• State — 4.225 percent

Meanwhile, the sales tax rate is different for businesses on the Wentzville Parkway, such as  and . Voters previoulsy approved the creation of a Transportation Development District and a special sales tax on purchases made at businesses in the district.

Back to School Items

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.

The cities of Lake Saint Louis, O'Fallon and St. Charles are participating in the tax-free holiday. One neighboring city, St. Peters, is not participating in the event. 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.