Tax-free holiday is this weekend
Annual event is Friday and Saturday
Shoppers will have the opportunity to spend less on some clothing items this weekend as the annual tax-free holiday comes to Iowa.
The tax-free holiday will take place Friday and Saturday.
John Fuller, public information officer for the Iowa Department of Revenue, said Iowa is one of a number of states that has such an event.
“It’s a time when shoppers can buy certain items and won’t have sales tax charged when they purchase the items,” he said.
Tax-exempt items include clothes and footwear that are less than $100, he said.
A full list of tax-exempt items can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website, tax.iowa.gov. Fuller said there is a banner that has a picture of shopping bags that says “Annual Sales Tax Holiday” that people can click on and find the list.
“It explains what items are exempt, what items aren’t, how to use a coupon, what if I return something, can I buy things online, rain checks, layaway,” he said. “All those items that are important to shoppers.”
He also stressed that the tax days will only be Friday and Saturday.
Local merchants say the tax-free holiday is beneficial to their businesses.
Jill Bush, co-owner of Rush Hour Clothing Co., said a number of items in the store will carry the tax-exemption status, including back-to-school clothing.
“It just gets more traffic coming in here,” she said. “Not just kids, but it seems everybody takes advantage.”
Bush said her store will also be offering some deals on items that are not tax-exempt, including 15 percent off on hand bags.
Melissa Verschoor, general manager of the Crossroads Mall, said the tax-free holiday benefits the stores in the mall.
“It brings business to the mall and it shows people what we have to offer here at the mall,” she said. “It gives them a chance to shop without the tax and take advantage of the sales.”
The Crossroads Mall will be having sidewalk sales on Saturday as well as a fashion show with entertainment provided by Hollingsworth School of Dance.
“We do trend a little higher through that weekend,” Verschoor said. “It’s the kickoff for us. Once August hits, we’re in that full-blown back-to-school season.”
Items that are tax exempt
Adult diapers
Aerobic clothing
Antique clothing
Aprons, household
Athletic socks
Athletic supporters
Baby bibs, clothes, diapers, receiving blankets
Bandanas
Bathing suits, caps,
cover-ups
Belts
Bibs
Blouses
Boots, general purpose
Bowling shirts
Bras
Bridal apparel
Camp clothing
Caps and hats
Chef’s uniforms
Children’s novelty costumes
Choir and altar clothing
Clerical vestments
Coats and wraps
Corsets and corset laces
Costumes, sold not rented
Coveralls
Cowboy boots
Diapers, diaper inserts (adult and baby, cloth or disposable)
Dress gloves, shoes
Dresses
Ear muffs
Employee uniforms
Footlets
Formal clothing, sold not rented
Fur coats and stoles
Galoshes
Garters and garter belts
Girdles, bras, corsets
Gloves (generally), such as dress, garden, leather and work
Golf clothing
Graduation caps and gowns, sold, not rented
Gym suits and uniforms
Hats
Hiking boots
Hooded shirts and sweatshirts
Hosiery, including support hosiery
Insoles
Jackets
Jeans
Jerseys
Jogging apparel, bras
Knitted caps, hats
Lab coats
Leather clothing
Leg warmers
Leotards and tights
Lingerie
Martial arts attire
Men’s formal wear, sold not rented
Neckwear, including ties and scarves
Nightgowns and night shirts
Overshoes, rubber shoes
Pajamas
Pants
Panty hose
Ponchos
Prom dresses
Raincoats, rain hats, and ponchos
Receiving blankets for babies
Religious clothing
Riding pants
Robes
Rubber pants
Rubber thongs, flip-flops
Running shoes without cleats
Sandals
Scarves
Scout uniforms
Shawls and wraps
Shirts
Shoe inserts and laces
Shoes without cleats
Shoes; steel-toed
Shorts
Shoulder pads
Skirts
Slacks
Sleepwear, nightgowns, pajamas
Slippers
Slips
Sneakers
Socks
Stockings
Suits, slacks, jackets
Support hose
Suspenders
Sweaters
Sweatshirts
Swim suits, trunks
Tennis wear
Ties
Tights
Trousers
Tuxedos
Underclothes
Underpants
Undershirts
Uniforms for work and school
Veils
Vests, general, to wear with suits