PICAYUNE —
Melinda Shaw, who owns two gift shops in Picayune that carry the name “Melinda’s,” says that the sales tax holiday on Friday and Saturday can afford some savings for shoppers, especially when coupled with additional sales promotions by merchants.
As usual, though, when the government does something, it can be complicated and generate extra work for merchants participating in the program.
However, she says she favors the program, and coupled with additional savings she gives, the holiday generates enough extra sales to make it worth it. “Actually, it is one of our best promotions of the year,” she told the Item.
The 48-hour tax holiday, begun by a state law passed in 2009 by the State Legislature, goes into effect this year at 12:01 a.m. Friday and runs through midnight Saturday.
The tax holiday, which exempts certain items from a seven percent state sales tax, is held at this time of year because many shoppers are purchasing back-to-school items, but the tax exemption does not apply to school supplies.
The exemption is applied mostly to clothing items priced at less than $100.
Some towns choose not to participate in the program because of the complicated nature and the extra work.
Both cities in Pearl River County, Poplarville and Picayune, are participating in the program.
However, statewide there are three cities that chose not to participate: Enterprise, Heidelberg and Crenshaw.
Picayune Chamber Director April Lovelace said she did not have an exact count on how many Chamber members here are participating, but added that she is directing merchants to the Mississippi Department of Revenue website for information about the program.
There one can find a four-page description of the program, showing what items qualify and those that don’t.
It’s mostly clothing and footwear that will be exempt from the state’s seven percent sales tax.
This is the fourth year the holiday has been implemented in Mississippi. When it was debated in the State Legislature, it was touted as a way of helping taxpayers with back-to-school purchases, but when it was finalized, school supplies were not exempt.
Additionally, Shaw pointed out that although the program exempts mostly apparel, many schools use uniforms, thus cutting back the need for many families to purchase large volumes of back-to-school clothing, as was once the case.
Still, Shaw supports the program. “The way things are now, every little bit helps,” she said.
Here’s some guidelines, as outlined by the state department of revenue’s website:
— Clothing and footwear are exempt; however, that’s only items that cost less than $100. Sport clothing, including cleats, is not eligible.
— Also, school supplies and computers are not eligible.
— Jewelry, handbags, luggage, wallets, watches and backpacks, goods that are called “accessories,” are not exempt.
— Store coupons, which reduce items below $100, qualify, but manufacturers’ coupons don’t.
There are definitions for “clothing,” “footwear,” and “accessories.”
Also, there are categories that require explanation, such as “eligible and noneligible items,” “$100 threshold,” “rentals of items,” “items sold as a unit,” “parings of eligible and non-eligible items,” “buy one, get one free or for a reduced price,” “discounts, coupons and rebates,” “layaway sales,” “mail, telephone and Internet sales,” “shipping and handling charges,” “rain checks,” and “refunds and exchange.”
In Louisiana, The Associated Press reported, a similar sales tax holiday takes effect Aug. 3-4. The exemption in Louisiana applies to the first $2,500 of the purchase price of eligible items. The Louisiana tax holiday does not apply to vehicles, meals, admission to events and taxable services such as hotel occupancy or rentals.
Louisiana officials are also encouraging shoppers in Louisiana to retain receipts for school supplies, uniforms and educational equipment required by schools, the AP reported.
These expenses may be eligible for tax deduction on 2012 Louisiana individual income tax returns due May 15, 2013.
Local News
Sales tax holiday is on Friday and Saturday
- Local News
-
-
U.S. Marshals, local officials search area for fugitives
The U.S. Marshal's Service, the Pearl River Sheriff's Department and the Picayune Police Department are currently searching for two fugitives wanted for charges in Tennessee.
-
Valente defeats Watkins in precinct 1 race
Tammy Valente won the GOP runoff with incumbent Larry Watkins in precinct one in unofficial results.
-
Deputies arrest meth, cocaine suspects
Deputies arrested a couple on various methamphetamine charges on Tuesday, May 14, following an investigation by Pearl River County Sheriff’s Dept. investigators and the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Deputies also made an arrest for cocaine that same day.
-
Thorman announces candidacy for mayor of Picayune
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Mark Thorman has announced his candidacy and released this statement.)
Hello, my name is Mark Thorman.
I am humbly announcing my candidacy for Mayor of Picayune. -
WAR MEMORIAL
Work on the Veteran’s Memorial Walk in front of the Pearl River County Courthouse is underway. The brick walkway around the historical marker is coordinated by the Poplarville Rotary Club, Poplarville Area Chamber of Commerce and Pearl River Community College. The walkway is to honor local veterans.
-
Man wants pay for snakes seized in Miss. porn case
A man serving 30 years after pleading guilty to enticing a teenager to pose for pornographic pictures with venomous snakes has filed a federal lawsuit seeking compensation for the loss of his reptiles.
-
Highland Commons awaits reissue of permits
The Highland Commons Parkway leads to the woods.
Discussion of this project began four years ago, and its purpose is to expedite traffic to Highland Hospital from the interstate, but the road comes to a dead end in front of the Trinity United Methodist Church. -
Primary runoff election is today
In the only race left with more than one candidate, Council Precinct One, have incumbent Larry E. Watkins and Tammy Valente meeting in the second primary election today.
-
Wildcats tring to win Region 23 title
Host Pearl River opened Region 23 Tournament play in dominating fashion here Thursday in Wildcat Stadium, demolishing top-seeded East Central 12-1 in eight innings and now faces second-seeded LSU-Eunice (La.) in Friday’s second round at 7 p.m.
-
Veterans honored for Armed Forces Day
In observance of United States Armed Forces Day, Picayune Memorial High School hosted the annual Jerry “Chip” Burge Jr. Memorial Armed Forces Reception on Friday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
U.S. Marshals, local officials search area for fugitives
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Former Rep. Weiner Running for New York Mayor
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
New Xbox One Entertainment Console Unveiled
