Check receipts during sales tax holiday

Shonna Riggs/Herald-Guide

Residents should catch a huge break thanks to the parish’s sales tax holiday.

Customers expecting tax relief on Aug. 1 and 2 because of the parish sales tax holiday need to be careful. Some businesses may not have their registers programmed to give the tax credit.

The amounts of the taxes that will be waved include 2 percent from the parish, 3 percent from the School Board and 4 percent from the state, for a total of 9 percent.

But don't worry, Paula Jeansonne, director of the sales tax collection office in St. Charles Parish, says residents can get a refund if they hold on to their receipts.

"If you go to a store and are still charged the parish tax rate, come to the parish sales tax office in Hahnville with your receipt and we'll refund your money," Jeansonne said. "We sent out flyers letting the corporate headquarters at Wal-Mart know to waive the parish and state taxes, so no one should be charged either tax for those two days."

Jeansonne says her office will only refund the parish tax.
During the tax-free weekend, residents will not be charged either parish or state taxes for up to $2,500 in purchases. That's because the parish’s sales tax holiday coincides with the state's tax holiday.

Jeansonne says St. Charles is the only parish in Louisiana where that will occur.
"This is great," she said. "We're encouraging everyone in the surrounding parishes to come shopping with us."
Last year, some residents complained that they still got charged taxes at Wal-Mart even though the tax holiday was taking place.

Eddie Ferguson, store manager at Wal-Mart Shopping Center in Boutte, says that customers pay three separate taxes when they shop at the store and both state and parish taxes will be waived.
"I know there's a parish tax, a state tax and a food tax," he said. "The only tax that will have to be paid is the food tax.”

Ferguson says the corporate office makes sure the tax that's waived isn't charged when customers purchase items during the tax free holiday.

Residents should go to the parish’s sales tax office on 13855 River Road in Hahnville with receipt in hand if they are not given a tax credit during the sales tax holiday.
The tax holiday in St. Charles Parish waives both the local and state taxes to make shopping more affordable for parish residents. Those out of town shoppers seeking back to school bargains from surrounding parishes are encouraged to visit.