Look Local First During Iowa's Annual Tax-Free Weekend
Each August, Iowa’s annual sales tax holiday offers an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to take advantage of six percent savings the first Friday and Saturday of the month on items with a selling price less than $100.
Where to Shop Local
From the Historic East Village in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) to the Outlets of Des Moines in Altoona, there are many opportunities to shop local for your back-to-school needs. Check out Jordan Creek Town Center, Uptown Ankeny, The District at Prairie Trail, Historic Valley Junction and more! If you need help with ideas on where to buy, check out our Back-to-School buying guide, as well as other buying guides from the Greater Des Moines Partnership. You’ll also find listings and ideas for where to shop in the Black Iowa Business Directory, Shop Black Iowa™, IEDA Targeted Small Business Directory, the Shop Iowa and Shop Where I Live in Central Iowa directories. There’s no shortage of shopping options in DSM!
Taking Precautions While Shopping
Iowa’s tax-free weekend does include online purchases. According to the Iowa Department of Revenue, eligible items purchased by mail order, catalog or Internet are exempt if they are ordered and paid for during the exemption period, even if delivery is made after the holiday weekend. If you still plan to shop in person, take other precautions against COVID-19 with hand sanitizer, masks and keeping your distance from other shoppers while in the store.
The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 6 and runs through Midnight on Saturday, August 7. See a complete taxable and exempt list here or learn more about the holiday at tax.iowa.gov/iowas-annual-sales-tax-holiday.
Named the #1 Best Place to Live in the Midwest and #2 Safest Place to Live, Greater Des Moines (DSM) is a city where you can have it all. Learn more about what it’s like to live here.
The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses or events specific to Downtown DSM.
Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 400 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.