Retailers around the state are making preparations for “Tax-Freedom Weekend.” Governor Tom Vilsack today will sign into law the bill which sets August 4th and 5th as the dates when state and local sales taxes will not be charged on most clothing and shoes. Linda Johnson, general manager of Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines, has talked with mall managers in states which have similar sales tax holidays.Johnson expects the weekend to be similar to the frenzy before Christmas.The Holiday shopping season is often a headache for retailers, as it’s difficult to hire extra workers in November and December. Johnson says by comparison, August will be an easy time to find extra clerks.Jeff Taylor, general manager of the Mall of the Bluffs in Council Bluffs, is developing a special marketing plan for the tax holiday.Taylor says border cities like his will be able to lure customers from surrounding states and give them a leg up on their competitors.Clothing and shoes with a price of more than one hundred dollars will still be subject to the sales tax. Governor Vilsack signs the “Tax-Freedom Weekend” bill at 10 this morning at the Westland Mall in West Burlington.
