Mississippi merchants prepare for sales tax holiday as back-to-school shopping begins

Mississippi merchants and shoppers are gearing up for the fifth annual back-to-school sales tax holiday.

Mississippi's sales tax holiday starts Friday at 12:01 a.m. and ends Saturday at midnight. For retailers, it is one of their busiest times of the year.

As in previous years, shoppers can save 7 percent on certain clothes and shoes that cost $100 or less per item. While individual items can't cost more than $100 each to qualify for the tax break, shoppers have no limits on how much they can spend

Qualified items include clothes, coats and shoes that aren't for special activities.

School supplies, book bags, most accessories and computers aren't included in the annual tax holiday.

Accessories such as jewelry, handbags, wallets, watches, backpacks, and similar items do not qualify.