Missouri shoppers will get a break on back-to-school purchases during the state’s annual Sales Tax Holiday, which runs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, through midnight Sunday, Aug. 9. Qualifying purchases will be exempt from both state and local sales taxes. If an item costs more than the qualifying limit, the entire purchase price is subject to sales tax, not just the amount over the limit. Store discounts count toward an item’s purchase price when determining eligibility, while manufacturer’s coupons generally do not reduce the price for tax holiday purposes. Some items are excluded from the sales tax holiday, including jewelry, handbags, watches, umbrellas, scarves, ties and belt buckles.