Jackson Free Press

If buying back-to-school clothes and shoes are on your agenda, this coming weekend is the time to make it happen. On Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, clothing and shoes under $100 will be exempt from Mississippi's 7 percent sales tax.

To see the official list of items that are eligible for the discount—and those that aren't—go to the Mississippi State Tax Commission Web site.

Advocates for the tax holiday say that the state should expand both the number of days and the items eligible for the discount. In a Meridian Star editorial, Managing Editor Steve Gillespie writes that school supplies should be added to the list, and points out that neighboring states offer discounts that encourage out-of-state shoppers to travel and shop there.

* Alabama will have its sales tax holiday, Aug. 7-8, on clothing up to $100, computers up to $750, school supplies up to $50 and books up to $30. This is Alabama's fourth year for the holiday.

* In Louisiana, on those same dates, you won't be charged sales tax on any tangible personal property you purchase up to $2,500, excluding automobiles and equipment for businesses. This is Louisiana's third year for the holiday (last year it also began a sales tax holiday weekend at the end of May for hurricane preparedness items up to $1,500).

* In Tennessee Aug. 7-9, no sales tax will be charged for clothing up to $100, school supplies up to $100 or computers up to $1,500. This is Tennessee's fourth year for its holiday.

Still, the paper says, a tax holiday on some items is better than no holiday at all, and this weekend is the time to get out and shop in Mississippi.