Shoppers will be saving money when they spend during this tax-free weekend.

The  2018 sales tax holiday started at 12 a.m. today and will end on Saturday at 11:59 p.m.  The sales tax holiday is a temporary period in which sales taxes are not collected or paid on purchases of specific products and services, and is meant to help ease the burden on back-to-school shoppers.

“We are starting our 75-percent-off sale on spring and summer clothes and we’re hoping that everyone will come in and take advantage,” said Cathy Franck, owner of Castles.

During the holiday, sales tax is not due on the sale of articles of clothing or footwear if the sales price of a single item is less than $100.  Items priced at $100 or more are not eligible for the sales tax holiday.  While Mississippi’s state tax may not seem like a lot,  shoppers will be saving 7 percent. 

Officials with the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce hope that shoppers will take advantage of the tax-free weekend, even if they aren’t shopping for back-to-school deals.

“We look forward to the tax-free weekend. Our chamber hopes our local businesses will see a great increase in a relatively slower shopping season,” said program director Katie Nations.  “It’s the perfect weekend for back-to-school wardrobes and shoes. Brookhaven offers a great variety of locally owned businesses that participate so remember to shop local this tax-free weekend.”

State law provides a sales tax holiday and was passed in the 2009 legislative session.  The list of eligible items has not changed since it was passed. 

Layaway sales; mail, telephone, and internet sales; shipping and handling charges; and rain checks are not eligible under the sales tax holiday.  If an item bought during the holiday is returned for credit on the purchase of a different item, then the new item will have sales tax applied.

There are many items on the list that are eligible under the tax-free holiday, but there are also many that are not eligible.  All types of shoes are eligible except for sport and performance.  Boots meant for climbing, fishing, working and skiing are not eligible either.  Most articles of clothing are eligible, except for certain sports uniform pieces and safety clothing.

Accessories such as jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, backpacks, briefcases and similar items are not eligible for the sales tax holiday.

An official guide to the tax-free weekend can be found on www.dor.ms.gov by searching “Annual Clothing Sales Tax Holiday Guide”.

Story by Gracie Byrne