School board enacts sales tax holiday

A way of saying thanks to parish for support

Members of the St. Charles Parish School Board passed a resolution at its meeting on May 3, that would provide a local "Sales Tax Holiday" to parish residents as a way of thanking the community for their commitment to public schooling in the area.

The school board will foot the tax bill on physical consumer purchases on July 29 and 30. This resolution is similar to the tax holiday passed in the special session in the 2005 legislature after Hurricane Katrina.

Other states, including Florida and Texas, have also provided a "Sales Tax Holiday" prior to the beginning of the school year to assist families as they prepare for the beginning of school. This has become a benefit not only to the local residents but also to the local businesses, as their sales have increased significantly during the tax free days.

Like the state’s "Sales Tax Holiday" that took place in December 2005, there will be restrictions on the types and costs of purchases that are eligible. It would allow families to purchase consumer products of up to $2,500 per item without paying 3% local sales tax. This excludes prepared meals at restaurants and automobiles.

Realizing that all retailers in St. Charles Parish may not be capable of changing their cash registers to reflect the abatement in local sales taxes, customers may request a refund with the St. Charles Parish School Board. The actual receipt and a valid driver's license will be required to obtain the refund.

This "Sales Tax Holiday" is the School Board's way of thanking the residents of St. Charles Parish for their support of the public education and providing assistance as parents prepare for the beginning of a new school year.