Sales tax holiday this weekend

Officials at the Iowa Department of Revenue are reminding Iowans that they get a 'holiday” from paying state sales tax on certain items of clothing and schools on Friday and Saturday.

The annual sales tax holiday is designed to help parents save money on back-to-school purchases before classes resume later in August. In general, state officials say select clothing and footwear are tax exempt – meaning no state sales tax will be collected – but there are restrictions outlined in a detailed explanation at the agency's website at tax.iowa.gov.

Businesses in Iowa won't collect sales tax on clothing and footwear costing less than $100 during the annual holiday, which takes place on the first Friday and Saturday of August. Local-option sales tax also are waived on those days. Most students in Iowa return to school Aug. 23 (which this year falls on a Friday) or shortly thereafter.