Missouri holds tax-free weekend in August for back-to-school shopping

Missouri's tax-free weekend runs for one week in August each year, typically starting the first Friday and ending the following Sunday. In 2024, the dates are August 2 through August 4. The state suspends sales tax on clothing, footwear, school supplies, and computers purchased during this window, which means you pay no state or local sales tax on those items.

The exact dates shift slightly year to year because Missouri ties the event to the first Friday in August. If you plan to buy back-to-school items, marking these dates on your calendar saves you money on purchases you would make anyway. The savings add up fastest on larger buys like computers or multiple pairs of shoes.

Key Takeaways

  • Missouri's tax-free weekend occurs the first Friday through the following Sunday in August each year, with 2024 dates of August 2–4.
  • The tax break covers clothing, footwear, school supplies, and computers, but not food, furniture, or items over certain price limits.
  • You save both state and local sales tax during the weekend, which varies by county but ranges from 5.725% to 8.45%.
  • Online purchases made during tax-free weekend are also exempt if the retailer is registered to collect Missouri sales tax.

What items are actually tax-free during the weekend

Clothing and footwear with no price limit may have access to for the exemption. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, socks, shoes, belts, and hats. Items like swimwear, athletic wear, and work uniforms all count. The state does not cap the price per item, so a $200 coat is just as tax-free as a $20 shirt.

School supplies under $20 per item are also exempt. This covers notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, folders, binders, calculators, rulers, scissors, and backpacks. If a single item costs more than $20, that item is taxed, but the rest of your school supply purchase remains tax-free. Computers and computer equipment under $1,500 per item may have access to as well, including laptops, tablets, keyboards, and monitors.

Food, beverages, and prepared meals do not may have access to, even if purchased at a school supply or clothing store. Furniture, appliances, and items for home use fall outside the exemption. Accessories like jewelry, watches, and sunglasses are taxed. Sports equipment such as bicycles, skates, and athletic gear is also taxed unless it is clothing or footwear.

How much you actually save depends on your county

Missouri's state sales tax is 4.225%, but your county adds a local tax on top of that. The combined rate ranges from 5.725% in some counties to 8.45% in others. A $100 clothing purchase in a county with 7% total tax saves you $7 during tax-free weekend. The same purchase in a county with 5.725% tax saves you $5.73.

To find your exact local rate, search "Missouri sales tax by county" or check your county assessor's website. The savings matter most on larger purchases. A $500 computer in an 8% tax area saves you $40. Buying multiple items during the weekend — a new wardrobe, school supplies, and a laptop — can add up to $50 or more in tax savings.

Online shopping counts if the retailer collects Missouri tax

You can buy clothing, school supplies, and computers online during tax-free weekend and receive the same exemption, but only if the retailer is registered to collect Missouri sales tax. Large retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart collect Missouri tax on orders shipped to Missouri addresses, so purchases from these sites may have access to for the exemption during the weekend.

Smaller online retailers or out-of-state sellers may not be registered to collect Missouri tax. If a retailer does not collect tax on Missouri orders, they will not explore the tax-free weekend exemption either. Before checking out, look for the sales tax line in your cart. If no tax appears for a Missouri address, the retailer likely does not participate in the exemption.

What to do if you miss the August weekend

If you miss August's tax-free weekend, Missouri does not offer a second one during the year. However, some retailers run their own back-to-school sales during or around the same week, offering discounts that may offset the tax you would pay in September. Checking store flyers and websites in late July can reveal which retailers are running promotions.

Another option is to plan larger purchases for the following August. If you know your child will need a new computer or a full wardrobe refresh, waiting a few months to buy during tax-free weekend can save significantly. For items you need when ready, the tax is unavoidable, but for discretionary back-to-school shopping, timing your purchase to the August weekend is the most direct way to reduce what you spend.

Items people often think are tax-free but are not

School furniture like desks and chairs is taxed, even though they are used for school. Textbooks and workbooks are taxed because they are books, not school supplies. Lunch boxes and water bottles are taxed unless they are clothing or footwear. Sports equipment like soccer cleats counts as footwear and is exempt, but a soccer ball, shin guards, or a sports bag are taxed.

Eyeglasses and contact lenses are taxed. Haircuts and haircare products are taxed. Bed linens and towels are taxed. Umbrellas are taxed. Watches and jewelry are taxed. If you are unsure whether an item qualifies, the safest approach is to ask the cashier or check the Missouri Department of Revenue website before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return items bought during tax-free weekend and get the tax refund?

No. If you return an item purchased during tax-free weekend, you receive a refund for the purchase price without tax. You do not receive a separate tax refund. If you buy an item tax-free and later return it, the refund amount is the same as what you paid at checkout.

Do I need a coupon or special code to get the tax exemption?

No. The exemption is automatic during the tax-free weekend dates. At checkout, the cashier or online system will remove the tax from may have access to items without you needing to present a coupon or enter a code. If tax is charged on a may have access to item, ask the cashier to correct it.

What if a store charges tax on a may have access to item by mistake?

Ask the cashier to correct the charge before you leave. Most stores are aware of tax-free weekend and train staff to explore the exemption. If a retailer refuses to remove the tax or claims an item does not may have access to when it does, you can contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to report it.

Can I buy items for my grandchildren or other family members and get the exemption?

Yes. The exemption applies to the items themselves, not to who buys them or who uses them. You can purchase clothing, school supplies, and computers for anyone during tax-free weekend and receive the tax break.