Sales tax break days set again

Published 12:29 pm Friday, May 7, 2010

A Mississippi sales tax holiday is making a return late this summer after many Vicksburg merchants saw a successful inaugural run last year.

The 7 percent sales tax will be waived on any item of clothing and shoes that each cost $100 or less for 48 hours from 12:01 a.m. July 30 through midnight July 31. Public school classes start Aug. 5.

Local merchants are eager for the return to help their shoppers curb costs of back-to-school clothes for youths and wardrobes in general.

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“We did awesome last year,” said Norma Massey, owner of downtown Frederick’s Shoe Store. “People really took advantage of it. In this kind of economy, people are pinching pennies. If you can save a few dollars, it’ll help a lot.”

She said shoppers, last year, were buying plenty of shoes and sneakers for kids returning for another year of school. Massey said she is looking forward to the two-day tax exemption, and is looking into offering extra discounts for shoppers during the holiday.

Kay Atchley at Sports Center on Pemberton Boulevard agreed.

“The customers really liked it. It brought a lot of them out of the woodwork,” she said. “It actually put people in the shopping frame of mind.”

Her shop carries uniforms for local schools, but she said management is looking into expanding the uniform line for those outside of the school district.

Like Massey, Atchley said the store, which also sells a variety of sneakers, is planning on offering extra discounts during the sales tax holiday.

Also gearing up for the two-day holiday are the shops at the Outlets of Vicksburg off South Frontage Road.

Marketing and special events manager Paige Caldwell said all stores will stay open until midnight during the two-day event.

“We’ll have another after-dark sale to stay open until midnight, and we’ll have entertainment later in the evening, too,” she said. “We’ll also have coupons for all the stores. That 7 percent (sales tax) is a big deal.”

In 2009, Mississippi lawmakers for the first time followed other states offering a break for back-to-school shoppers. Items eligible for the tax waiver include clothing or footwear, meant to be worn next to the body, that cost $100 or less per item.

Accessories such as jewelry, handbags, wallets, watches, backpacks and similar items do not qualify. School supplies and computers are also not included.