Shoppers looking to avoid that pesky sales tax will get a chance to do so this weekend.
Happening statewide is Mississippi’s annual tax-free weekend, beginning Friday, July 11, and lasting through Sunday, July 13. Shoppers won’t have to worry about paying the 7% sales tax on clothing, footwear, school supplies, and some other items.
Here’s what to know about the annual sales tax holiday.
When is tax-free weekend?
Tax-free weekend in Mississippi begins at midnight on Friday, July 11, at 12:01 a.m. and goes through midnight on Sunday, July 13.
What items are eligible?
Clothing that qualifies for the tax-free holiday includes shirts, pants, socks, underwear, dresses, pajamas, school and work uniforms, and other articles of the like. Shoes such as sneakers, tennis shoes, flip-flops, and dress shoes are eligible. Some sports items like jerseys and tennis dresses are eligible.
Pretty much all school supplies qualify, including backpacks, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, notebooks, and textbooks. Art supplies like paintbrushes and paints are also eligible.
What items are not eligible?
Tech items such as laptops and tablets are not part of the holiday. Some sports items like shoulder pads and cleats are not eligible. While clothing for both adults and babies are part of the deal, diapers and bibs are not. Jewelry, sunglasses, and bicycles also headline items that do not qualify.
The Mississippi Department of Revenue offers this full list of eligible and non-eligible items.
Does it include online shopping?
Amazon-lovers, there’s no need to fret. Online shopping is included in the state’s tax-free weekend. Eligible items bought on the internet qualify for the tax break.
Additionally, eligible items purchased through mail or over the phone also qualify.
Are there any catches?
Not really. However, there is a monetary cap on which items are eligible — anything under $100.
It’s worth noting that the tax exemption is based on an item’s price rather than the total. For example, if a customer purchases two shirts at $50 each as well as a pair of pants for $75, no sales tax is due even though the combined total of $175 exceeds $100. If a customer buys a pair of $120 shoes, sales tax will still be due as the individual item’s price exceeds $100.
For online purchases, shipping and handling fees are not included in the $100 threshold for the item’s price.
Can coupons be used?
Yes, most coupons can still be used without sacrificing the tax break. Store discounts or coupons can even bring a more expensive item’s cost below $100 and make it eligible for the holiday.
Is this the last tax-free weekend of the year?
With Mississippi being an outdoor-oriented state, hunters will get a chance next month to stock up before gun and bow seasons. From Aug. 29 to Aug. 31, sales tax will be removed from gun, ammunition, archery, and other similar purchases.
