This weekend might be a good time to check school supplies off your to-do list.
From 12:01 a.m. today today until midnight Sunday is Missouri's annual back-to-school sales tax holiday. This event exempts certain back to school purchases including clothing, computers, school supplies, and other items defined in state statute from state sales tax.
"The back-to-school sales tax holiday gives Missouri families a leg up in preparing for a new school year," said Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick in a press release. "Families with young children can take advantage of diapers being tax-exempt during the weekend. For those who are in need of new clothes, the tax exemption applies to clothing, shoes and backpacks for the weekend."
Even families planning to do distance learning this year may benefit, he added.
"Computers are tax-exempt, as are school supplies like pencils, crayons, and paper," Fitzpatrick explained. "This school year may look different from others, but the sales tax holiday is a great way to prepare and save a little money when every little bit helps."
Items purchased online qualify for state sales tax exemption, so Missourians can shop from home and have items delivered or use curbside pickup options available at some retailers.
The City of Fulton also participates in the sales tax holiday each year, meaning that Fulton's sales tax won't be charged on qualifying items purchased during the sales tax period.
However, Callaway County has opted out of participating this year, meaning the county sales tax will still apply. In total, around 50 Missouri counties have opted out of the holiday, including nearby Cole, Boone, Audrain and Osage counties.
The following items are exempt from Missouri and Fulton's sales taxes Friday through Sunday, according to the Missouri Department of Revenue:
Clothing: Each article of clothing must have a taxable value of $100 or less. Accessories including watches and handbags are not included.
Computers: Personal computers and peripheral devices cannot exceed $1,500.
School supplies: Items normally used by students in a classroom for educational purposes qualify. Each purchase is not to exceed $50. Graphing calculators valued at less than $150 qualify.
More information about specific qualifying purchases during the back-to-school sales tax holiday can be found at dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday/school.
Supply supply lists for each Callaway County public school district can be found at:
Fulton Public Schools: bit.ly/3kmnYUo
North Callaway R-1: nc.k12.mo.us (Choose your school from the drop-down District menu, and look for the clickable yellow star labelled "2020-21 School Supply List.")
South Callaway R-2: sc.k12.mo.us (Choose your school from the list at the top of the page and look for the school supply list.)
New Bloomfield R-3: Elementary: bit.ly/3fwKPcl. The district is providing all basic school supplies this year, though students are responsible for their own backpacks, trapper keepers, earbuds and a few other items.