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Tax-free holiday is this weekend

Annual event is Friday and Saturday

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari
Jill Bush, co-owner of Rush Hour Clothing Co., helps a customer pay for clothes at the store. This Friday and Saturday is the tax-free holiday across Iowa, which means clothing and shoe purchases will be tax-exempt for the weekend.

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

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