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Green is the color of the day, and the state of Missouri has chosen St. Patrick’s Day to get the word out about its upcoming “Green Sales Tax Holiday.” KSMU’s Jennifer Moore has details.
The Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday will actually run from April 19 – 25. Anyone who buys a new Energy Star appliance during that time won’t have to pay state sales tax, which is normally 4.225 percent. Ted Farnen is a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Revenue.
“We call this the ‘Green Sales Tax Holiday’ because it saves people money, or ‘green,’ and it’s good for the environment. If people start using more energy-efficient appliances, then obviously not only will that help lower their utility bills, but that means less greenhouse gas emissions,” Farnen said.
This is the second year for Missouri’s Green Sales Tax Holiday. Several cities and counties are planning to waive their local sales taxes as well that week. Aurora, Republic, Salem and Willow Springs are a few of the Ozarks towns where you won’t have to pay state or local sales tax on the appliances.
For an appliance to qualify, it must have the Energy Star label on it, and it must be bought between April 19-25. Energy Star is a federal program that promotes appliances that use less energy while performing as well or better than similar appliances.
Air conditioners, furnaces, clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and water heaters are a few appliances that would qualify, if they have the Energy Star label. However, products like lighting fixtures, televisions, and office equipment are not eligible.
Farnen said out-of-state customers can also benefit from the program by coming to Missouri to make their purchases during the designated week. The sales tax exemption only applies to the first $1,500 on each appliance. If an appliance costs more than $1,500, the regular sales tax rate will be in effect for any of the purchase price above $1,500.
For KSMU News, I'm Jennifer Moore.