By Andy Ostmeyer
aostmeyer@joplinglobe.com
Back-to-school shoppers could save money by waiting a few more weeks.
That's because Missouri has set Friday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 6, as the time for its third sales-tax holiday, when certain clothing items, school supplies, computers and software are exempt from state sales taxes.
Several area communities and counties, such as Webb City, join in, waiving local taxes during that weekend. Other counties and communities, however, have opted not to participate, including Jasper County.
Chance Morgan, city administrator for Webb City, said the city will not charge its normal combined 1 7/8-cent sales tax on that weekend.
"We're regularly asking for something from the taxpayers. This time we're able to give a little back," Morgan said.
It doesn't hurt that Webb City is surrounded by other communities that have elected not to participate, such as Joplin, Carl Junction and Carthage.
"Instead of going to Joplin they might go to Webb City," Morgan added.
But he said that's not the main reason for joining in on the holiday, and added that it might not make any dramatic difference to the city's revenue if it opted out.
Chuck Surface, presiding Jasper County commissioner, believes the impact would be noticeable if the county went along with the holiday plan.
"We live or die with sales taxes here," he said. "We still think it is a heck of an offer because you are dropping the Missouri sales tax of 4.225 cents. The big advantage is the state of Missouri is out. The state of Missouri has ways to get around not having enough money. We don't."
Total sales taxes for Jasper County come to nearly 1 cent for every $1.
Studies back up each side's positions.
An analysis by the Missouri Association of Counties following the state's first sales tax holiday in 2004 found that state, county and local governments lost $18.5 million in potential sales tax revenue. However, a study done that same year by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce concluded that tax levels remained consistent for the third-quarter of the year despite the sales tax holiday. It also found that cities that fully participated in the holiday saw a greater increase in sales than cities that opted out.
Under Missouri law, the sales tax exemption:
Applies to articles of clothing with a taxable value of $100 or less, but does not include watches, watchbands, handbags, scarves, ties and jewelry.
Applies to laptops as well as desktops, not to exceed $3,500.
Is limited to $50 per purchase for school supplies and to $350 for computer software.
Andy Ostmeyer is the assistant metro editor for The Joplin Globe.
Opting out
Area cities that are not participating this year in the sales tax holiday are: Aurora, Carl Junction, Carthage, Cassville, Granby, Jane, Joplin, Liberal, Mount Vernon, Neosho, Noel, Seligman and Washburn.
Area counties that are not participating this year are: Barry, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, Newton and Vernon.
Source: Missouri Department of Revenue
Local News
Some counties, cities opt out of tax holiday
- Local News
-
-
‘A creek runs through it’ concept posed for new JHS
The Joplin Board of Education got its first peek at preliminary architectural renderings for the new Joplin High School at a special meeting Wednesday night. Architects from DLR Group, based in Omaha, Neb., and Corner Greer & Associates, based in Joplin, presented the plans to the board for its blessing to move forward with the design concept.
-
Joplin Globe wins APME Sweepstakes Award
A Joplin Globe project, “22 Miracles in May,” telling stories about 22 victims of the May 22 tornado, has won the APME Sweepstakes Award, it was announced this morning.
-
Okla. receives waiver from No Child Left Behind
Oklahoma’s top education official reacted with glee Thursday with the announcement that the state is one of 10 states being granted a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law that requires students be proficient in reading and math by 2014 — but focused on getting students to “just pass the tests.”
-
Mo. optometrist filed $40 million refund claim
A southwest Missouri optometrist who filed a tax return claiming a $40 million refund has been sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison.
-
Kan. House approves bipartisan redistricting bill
Power in the Kansas House is likely to shift next year from rural parts of the state to the Kansas City area after members overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan bill Thursday for redrawing their districts.
-
Horses getting dumped into Mo.’s wild herd
Owners who can no longer afford to care for their horses are abandoning them in southern Missouri hoping they will join Missouri’s only wild horse herd, which descends from animals set free in the Great Depression also by their impoverished owners.
-
Confessed shooter testifies against co-defendants in Pittsburg murder case
Rickey Smith testified Thursday that as he came in the back door of Ryan Bailey’s home in Pittsburg with a 9 mm pistol in his hand, Bailey looked up from the couch in his living room.
-
School district’s proposed street-closing plan questioned
Plans to close some streets near the proposed Joplin High School drew questions, including a challenge from a former Joplin mayor, during a public hearing this week.
-
City wants to buy weather radios for those without
Phil Jones had been working on a construction project outside his house all day on May 22 and was unaware that a tornado watch had been issued. Once he was inside, though, his weather radio went off, and he learned that a warning had been issued.
-
Mike Pound: Spirit of competition evident during double-overtime game
When I played basketball in high school, I played in several very close games.
Now, some people who may have known me in high school are probably laughing right now and saying, “What Mike meant to say is that when he was in high school, he came very close to playing in some games.” - More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
