 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mississippi taxes take
a weekend holiday
Published Thursday, July 30
By L.A. Story
Staff Writer
It has been a long time coming and local retail clothing and shoe merchants are busy preparing themselves for Friday and Saturday when Mississippi taxes will take a holiday.
The legislation that provided Mississippi’s first tax-free weekend on clothing and shoes priced under $100 per article was approved by Gov. Barbour this past spring, after several years of pushing by many legislators.
In a press release concerning the Tax Free Holiday weekend, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant said: “I stated from the beginning of the 2009 session that I believed the best way to boost economic growth in a recession is by targeted tax cuts. The Tax Free Holiday legislation has been introduced each year since 2000 by Sen. Walter Michel. Like myself, Sen. Michel understands as we continue through these tough financial times how important tax cuts are to hardworking Mississippi families.”
Ron Aldridge, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said, “We fought to pass a sales tax holiday in Mississippi because it’s a good way to encourage people to shop and to shop at home instead of driving out of state. In the past, some Mississippians have taken advantage of sales tax holidays in Alabama and Tennessee.”
The fact that shopping locally will support one’s community is one facet of the upcoming weekend that Community Development Director, Andrea Rose, of The Alliance, is passionate about.
“I’m really excited about this. I know in year’s past we have seen people go to neighboring states in a mass exodus. Now, they can save more money in the long run on gas and extra time by shopping right here,” said Rose.
Even though the tax exemption is limited to clothing and shoes under $100 per article, Rose encouraged area residents to shop locally for all their goods. She noted that the taxes charged on other, non-exempt, items can be used in the local community for schools, police and other tax dollar supported entities. Plus, she point out, it helps keep the local merchants in business and makes for a stronger local economy.
“It just makes ‘cents’ to shop locally. It may seem like just a couple of dollars in taxes to some people, but when you think of the thousands of kids going back to school, it really can have a big, positive impact,” Rose explained.
Many local merchants indicated their enthusiasm for the weekend and are preparing to participate — a couple of them took a moment to comment on the upcoming event.
Sharon Phillips, manager of Joe’s Shoe Store, said, “I think this is a really good thing. Of course, we’re participating and hoping for a really good turnout. Now, people don’t have to go out of state for school shoes.”
Belk’s Manager, Linda Hastings, said, “It’s wonderful to be able to tell everyone that they can shop at home this year. City officials always ask for everyone to ‘shop Corinth first’ and Mississippi’s tax free weekend is happening before Tennessee’s. We’re ready and we’re excited about it.”
In the end, NFIB director Aldridge noted the potential impact the tax exemption could have, as well as further encouragement for people to shop at home first whenever they can.
“This sales tax holiday will be great for individuals and families, but it’s also going to help small businesses hurt by the recession,” said Aldridge. “... The more we can increase consumer spending at our small businesses, the more jobs we save, and the faster our economy will recover.”
