Posted by Dawn Griffin
Tax-Free Weekend Returns August 7-9, 2026
Missouri Tax-Free Weekend 2026: Dates, Eligible Items and Shopping Limits
Missouri’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is coming up Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9, 2026.
During the three-day event, shoppers can purchase qualifying clothing, school supplies, computers and other back-to-school essentials without paying Missouri state or local sales tax. You do not need to be a student or a Missouri resident to take advantage of the savings.
What Qualifies for Missouri’s Tax-Free Weekend?
The sales tax exemption applies to qualifying items within the following price limits:
- Clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item
- School supplies costing $50 or less per purchase
- Computer software priced at $350 or less
- Personal computers priced at $1,500 or less
- Computer peripheral devices priced at $1,500 or less
- Graphing calculators priced at $150 or less
Eligible school supplies may include backpacks, lunch boxes, textbooks, notebooks, art supplies, USB drives and certain musical instruments.
Tablets and iPads may also qualify as personal computers when they fall within the price limit.
What Does Not Qualify?
Not every item commonly purchased during back-to-school season is included. Items that are generally taxable include:
- Headphones
- Sporting equipment
- Handbags
- Jewelry and watches
- Scarves
- Umbrellas
- Digital cameras
- Furniture
- Stand-alone printers
- Halloween costumes
The purchase price matters. When an item costs more than the applicable limit, the entire purchase price is taxable—not just the amount above the limit.
For example, a $98 pair of jeans may qualify, while a $114 sweater would not.
Do Online Purchases Qualify?
Qualifying online purchases may be tax-free when the order is completed and paid for during the sales tax holiday, even if the item is delivered later.
Keep in mind that required shipping and handling charges may count toward the item’s price when determining whether it falls within the qualifying limit.
Missouri’s Tax-Free Weekend Is Statewide
Qualifying purchases are exempt from both state and local sales taxes throughout Missouri. Cities and counties can no longer choose to opt out of the annual holiday.
Teachers purchasing classroom supplies with their own money may also participate, provided the items meet the program’s requirements.
🔗 Missouri Department of Revenue Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Information Page
Consider Helping a Local Student or Teacher
Tax-Free Weekend can also be a good opportunity to purchase extra notebooks, pencils, backpacks or other supplies for a local student.
St. Louis-area organizations that help children begin the school year prepared include:
- KidSmart
- The Little Bit Foundation
- NCJW St. Louis’ Back to School! Store
- A Red Circle
- The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Family Care Health Centers’ Packed for Success program
Because donation needs and collection dates may change each year, check with the organization before purchasing or dropping off supplies.
