Back-to-school shopping will be the main order of business this weekend when Mississippi’s sales tax holiday on clothes and footwear will be held on Friday and Saturday.
Shop locally is the message that local consumers are hearing from business leaders. Nik Ingram, director of Main Street Columbia, Inc., said local merchants will have plenty of back-to-school items.
“Whether they are still in school in Marion County or going off to college, shoppers can find what they need locally,” he said. “We have clothing and shoe boutiques that can help shoppers. Personalized items are also available. For schools or groups that are planning early fundraisers, T-shirt companies can help.”
Mike Lowery, manager of the Walmart Supercenter in Columbia, said store employees are busy preparing for a big weekend.
“It’s not our biggest weekend, but it’s always a strong one,” he said. “It’s beneficial — good for the customers. They get to save those dollars and spend a little more on merchandise. Everybody’s preparing for it from shoppers to the stores. We’ll have extra managers and staff on duty. We’re putting up signage. It’s exciting.”
Carolyn Burton, the Marion County Development Partnership’s vice president of the Chamber Division, said shopping locally is crucial.
“Shopping local goes to support the local businesses and schools,” she said. “The tax-free holiday signals the back-to-school shopping season. If everyone shops locally, we can keep that money in Marion County.”
Aldridge said the tax holiday could attract cash-strapped shoppers, who have delayed buying new clothes and shoes.
“People need to remember that the tax holiday applies to Main Street as well as the mall,” he said. “Even if you don’t need school clothes, you can save money shopping during the sales tax holiday, and you can find some great deals and unique merchandise by shopping small. When you shop at small, locally-owned businesses, you’re helping your friends and neighbors. You’re supporting the businesses that support our schools and charities and create jobs in our communities.”
Aldridge added that the sales tax holiday also helps shoppers stretch their money farther.
“The more we can do to encourage people to shop at small businesses, the more jobs we’ll save, and the faster our economy will grow,” he said.
The sales tax holiday is a temporary period when sales taxes are not collected or paid on purchases of specific products and/or services.
According to the Mississippi Sales Tax Holiday passed in the 2009 Legislative Session, Sales Tax is not due on the sale of articles of clothing or footwear if the sales price of a single the item is less than $100. The 2017 Sales Tax Holiday takes place between 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 28 and Midnight Saturday, July 29.
“Clothing” is any article of apparel designed to be worn on the human body including pants, shirts and blouses, dresses, coats, jackets, belts, hats, undergarments, and multiple piece garments sold as a set. “Footwear” is any article of apparel for human feet except for skis, swim fins, roller blades, skates, and any similar items. “Accessories” as jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, backpacks, briefcases, and similar items do not qualify for the Sales Tax Holiday.
The Sales Tax Holiday will apply statewide to all consumer purchases of clothing and footwear with sales prices of less than $100 per article during the Sales Tax holiday. The tax holiday does not apply to sales of any other items not defined as clothing or footwear.
“It’s a great opportunity for merchants to promote themselves,” Ingram concluded. “It had a lot of success last year.”
More information about Mississippi’s sales tax holiday is available at the Department of Revenue’s Web site at dor.ms.gov.
