Business & Tech
Tax Free Back-To-School Shopping? Not in Manchester or Town and Country.
Town and Country and Manchester are two of many cities not waiving city sales tax from Aug. 3 - 5 for back-to-school shopping. Here's a breakdown of the sales tax holiday and what items it includes.
If you’re looking for bargains on 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. 3 and ends at midnight Sunday, Aug. 5.
St. Louis County will also waive its taxes during that weekend. But Manchester and Town and Country, like many municipalities, will not. During the "sales tax holiday" many shoppers will still need to pay city taxes.
Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Items included in the tax holiday:
- 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.
Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The City of Manchester opted out of the sales tax holiday program several years ago," explained Franz Kraintz, Director of Planning, Zoning and Economic Development.
Kraintz said Manchester opted out of the holiday in Feb. 2006 and cited the following city ordinance.
"The legislation does not provide for the reimbursement to local government for lost revenues. Municipalities depend on sales tax revenues to provide essential services for their citizens." Kraintz said those services include police, parks, streets, code enforcement, etc. "These sales taxes were approved by a vote of the people who expect the promised services."
Manchester's sales tax rate is 2.25 percent, and most of Manchester Highlands--with the exception of Costco--has an addtional 1 percent extra tax for the Transportation Development District (TTD). For example, shoppers visiting Walmart at Manchester Highlands can expect to pay a 3.25 percent tax during the "tax holiday."
Town and Country's sales tax rate is 2.25 percent. There is an additional .5 percent in the Transportation Development District at Woods Mill and Clayton roads, which includes Lamp and Lantern Village and Town and Country Crossing. Shoppers visiting the can expect to pay a 2.75 percent tax.
Neighboring cities, including Ballwin. Ellisville and Des Pere are also not participating in the tax-free weekend.
Still, all St. Louis County shoppers can still look forward to saving on their state and county taxes.
For a list of other cities not participating in the tax-free weekend, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website.
If you're looking to find a tax break, Chesterfield will participate in the program and will waive taxes during that weekend.