Mississippi’s tax-free weekend begins this Friday at 12:01 a.m. and runs through Sunday, July 14 at 11:59 p.m.
According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue, the sales tax exemption applies to all sales taxable items priced under $100.
The tax exemption also applies to certain consumer purchases throughout the state, but the Mississippi Department of Revenue has established some guidelines for eligible and ineligible items to help determine additional items that can and cannot be purchased.
Below you will find a list of eligible and ineligible items for clothing, shoes and accessories, as well as frequently asked questions.
Can I use discounts, coupons and refunds?
- According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue, “Retailers are permitted to offer store discounts and store coupons to reduce the price of an eligible item to $100 or less to qualify for the holiday. However, manufacturer coupons do not reduce the selling price of an item; therefore, a manufacturer coupon cannot be used to reduce the selling price of an item to less than $100.00 to qualify for the holiday.”
What clothing is appropriate?
- Most clothing items from jackets to jeans to shoes under $100 are allowed. Even things like underwear, football jerseys, tennis skirts and bowling shirts are allowed.
Which purchases are not permitted?
- “Accessories such as jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, school supplies, briefcases and similar items are not eligible for the tax-free weekend,” explains the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
- Many sporting goods, from swimwear to baseball and sports helmets, are also ineligible. You also cannot purchase graduation caps and gowns. These are also ineligible.
Does this apply to sales by mail, telephone and internet?
- According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue, “sales of eligible items placed or ordered by mail, telephone or Internet are not subject to sales tax provided the purchaser orders and pays for the items during the sales tax-free period and the value of the items does not exceed the $100 threshold.”
What impact does this have on group purchases?
- A customer can purchase multiple items for under $100 without paying sales tax, even if the total purchase price is significantly more than $100. However, if a single item costs more than $100, you will pay the full amount of sales tax on that single item.
What school supplies can I buy?
- This category includes all school materials, from paper, pens, paints, folders and more. School bags are also permitted.
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Are there rain checks?
- According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue, “Eligible items purchased with a coupon during the sales tax-free period will only qualify for the sales tax-free period if the coupon is redeemed during the sales tax-free period. If redeemed after the sales tax-free period, the purchase will be subject to sales tax.”
Refunds and Exchanges
According to the Mississippi Department of Revenue:
- If a qualifying item was purchased during the VAT exemption period and returned after the exemption for credit toward the purchase of another item, VAT will be charged on the sale of the newly purchased item.
- If an eligible item was purchased during the VAT exemption and later exchanged for the same item but a different size, color, etc., no VAT will be charged, even if the exchange occurs after the exemption.
- If eligible items were purchased before the VAT exemption but were returned during the exemption and a credit was given toward the purchase of another eligible item, no VAT will be charged on the sale of the new item, provided the new item is eligible for the exemption.
The full list can be found on the Mississippi Department of Revenue website.
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