Two city ordinances aimed at helping buyers in Fulton save money by exempting their purchases from sales tax were discussed by the Fulton City Council Tuesday evening.
The council discussed an ordinance backing the "Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday," which exempts taxes on energy-efficient appliances purchased between April 19-25 next year.
Fulton City Administrator Bill Johnson said the city has participated in the sales tax holiday for the past few years. He hopes the county can catch on.
"For the past two years, we participated in these holidays," he said. "I hope we can get it where the entire county is participating in them."
According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, the "Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday" began in 2009. Last year, there were 51 cities in the state participating in the event, including Fulton.
The sales tax holiday exemption is limited to all retail sales of qualifying energy star certified new appliances and covers taxing for up to $1,500 per appliance.
The tax exemption holiday draws in business from other counties, councilman Steve Moore said.
"Columbia doesn't participate in this one," he said. "You do get a lot of people coming to Callaway to purchase an appliance."
According to the ordinance, the statewide sales tax holiday will give incentives for people to purchase energy-efficient appliances, which can reduce state wide energy consumption.
Appliances included in the event include washing machines, convention ovens, air conditioners, refrigerators and water heaters.
In addition to the tax exemption for energy efficient appliances, the city council also discussed an ordinance for the "Back to School Sales Tax Holiday" Aug. 4-7 of next year.
During the three-day tax exempt holiday, certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies and personal computers are exempt from state sales tax.
The council moved to discuss the sales tax holidays further at its next meeting.