T-R FILE PHOTO Brittany Tow, the owner of Brit Marie’s Country Boutique on Main Street is participating in Iowa’s tax free weekend. Every year, people can buy tax-free clothing and shoes during the first Friday and Saturday in August.

This weekend Iowans won’t need to worry about the tax while buying clothes.

On the first Friday of August Iowa hosts a tax free weekend event, minus Sunday, when sales tax isn’t added to retail clothing and footwear.

“It helps because everybody’s getting ready for school,” said Brittany Tow, owner of Brit Marie’s Country Boutique.

Tow’s business has a sale planned for the weekend. She’s offering 30 percent off all apparel, including purses.

“It actually falls on a great time of year,” she said.

Brown’s Shoe also benefits from the retail clothing based holiday.

“Back to school is one the busiest times of the year for us,” said Tyler Peters, Brown’s manager.

Like Tow’s store, Brown’s will also be offering sales for customers.

All of the shoes on their sales rack have an additional 12 percent of their clearance price. They are also currently having a sale on athletic shoes.

“[The holiday] is great for business,” Peters said. “It gives people a little bit more of an incentive to come in because they can save at least $7 if they’re spending at least $100.”

All businesses open on these days are required to participate. Businesses are not allowed to advertise they will pay or otherwise absorb the sales tax on items which do not qualify.

No sales tax, including local option sales tax, will be collected on sales of an article of clothing or footwear having a selling price less than $100, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue’s website. The exemption does not apply in any way to the price of an item selling for $100.00 or more.

The exemption begins at Midnight on Friday and ends at midnight Saturday.

“It’s a great time to do back to school shopping,” Tow said. “We’re ready for them.”

——

Contact Thomas Nelson at 641-753-6611 or tnelson@timesrepublican.com