Mississippi shoppers will once again be getting a break from sales tax this weekend, with an extra day added to the tax holiday.
The state’s sales tax holiday starts at 12:01 a.m. Friday and runs through midnight Sunday.
Shoppers won’t have to pay the 7% sales tax on certain clothing, footwear or school supplies that cost less than $100 per item, according to the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
Rental of clothing and footwear or layaway sales do not qualify for the sales tax holiday. Items above the threshold, along with some accessories like jewelry, handbags, luggage and umbrellas, also do not qualify for the sales tax holiday.
A full list of items eligible for the sales tax holiday can be found online at dor.ms.gov.
Margaret Ann Borland, co-owner of Mira Mira Boutique in Columbus, said her store typically sees an uptick in customers during the sales tax holiday, but the amount varies year to year. She typically prepares the store with sales and advertising to make sure shoppers know what’s coming up.
“With the weather so hot, you just never know if people are going to be out on the lake or the river or whatever,” Borland said. “But hopefully, it’ll do well like it has increased sales in the past.”
The Book Mart and Cafe in Starkville sells some items that are eligible for the tax holiday, like sweatshirts, skirts, caps, binders and some bookbags, while other items, like books and jewelry, are ineligible.
Manager Miranda Andrews said before the weekend begins, she and other employees will be reviewing the MDOR list of tax-free items, to help keep check-out flowing smoothly. Andrews said the store typically sees more foot traffic during the sales tax holiday, but the amount of customers depends on the year.
“I believe that there will be a lot of people downtown shopping,” Andrews said. “There are lots of boutique clothing stores and places like that. We usually do see a lot more people in because we do have clothing and things like that.”
Neither store will be open Sunday.
Why the change?
The Mississippi Sales Tax Holiday was passed in the 2009 Legislative Session and amended in the 2024 Legislative Session, moving the holiday up to the second Friday in July and adding an additional 24 hours to the tax break.
The bill’s author, Senator J. Walter Michel, R-Ridgeland, presented the amended bill to the senate in April. When the amendment went through the House, he said, Sunday was added to the holiday and the dates were changed to accommodate new school schedules.
“The reason we’re doing this is because of the difference in school schedules now,” Michel said on the senate floor. “Schools are starting school earlier. Not only that, some of them are going to that modified calendar. We want to be ahead of the game. We hope this will also – by being ahead of other states – some of our border cities will get that out of state shopper to come to their municipality and spend their money in Mississippi.”
This year, the Alabama back-to-school sales tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. July 19 and end at midnight July 21, putting it one week behind the Mississippi holiday.
Students at Columbus Municipal and Lowndes County school districts return to class on July 25 this year. Students at the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District report for their first days by last name on July 23 and 24, with all students back in school on a normal schedule by July 25.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
