Sales tax holiday this weekend

Residents will enjoy extra savings again this year with back to school shopping as a sales tax holiday is held this weekend.

"We are grateful the state has established tax free days," said Linda Skelton of the Winston County Economic Development Partnership. "We encourage everyone to shop at home with our Winston County merchants."

The state enacted the sales tax holiday last year, but this is the first year communities could opt out. The holiday is intended to give back-to-school shoppers a financial break. The Louisville Board of Aldermen chose to have the community participate to help shoppers save family funds on back to school shopping.

Certain purchases from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 30 and midnight Saturday, July 31 will not be charged the usually 7 percent sales tax. The holiday allows shoppers to skip the tax on clothing and shoes.

The items exempted from sales tax during the Sales Tax Holiday period are identical to those items exempted last year. Clothing and footwear items, meant to be worn next to the body and with a cost of $100 or less per item, will be exempted from sales tax during this period.

Accessories such as jewelry, handbags, wallets, watches, backpacks, and similar items do not qualify for the Sales Tax Holiday. Cleats and items worn in conjunction with an athletic or recreational activity or other sample items are not eligible. School supplies and computers are not included.

Please review the listing of eligible and non-eligible clothing and footwear items at http://www.dor.ms.gov/docs/salestaxholidayguide.pdf for more information.

The state collects a 7 percent sales tax and 18.5 percent of what's collected is returned to cities and towns where they were collected.