Tax Day, typically April 15, and the annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday in Missouri provide Kansas City consumers with distinct opportunities to save money through discounts, freebies, and tax exemptions. These events, while different in nature, both address financial concerns related to seasonal expenses—tax obligations and educational needs. This article details the specific offers, eligibility requirements, and redemption processes associated with these promotions, based on available information from the 2023 to 2025 periods.
Missouri Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
Missouri’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is an annual event designed to assist families with the cost of educational supplies. The exemption applies to specific items purchased during a designated weekend.
Event Timing and Scope The tax holiday typically occurs over a weekend in August. For example, in one reported year, the event ran from Friday through Sunday. A 2021 state law mandates that cities, counties, and special districts waive local sales taxes in addition to the state sales tax during this period. However, this exemption does not extend to Kansas. Kansas is noted as one of 32 states that does not hold a sales tax-free weekend for back-to-school shopping.
Eligible Items The exemption covers "back-to-school items," though the specific categories of eligible goods are referenced in external documentation (e.g., a link titled "here's what's covered" in Source 1) but are not explicitly listed in the provided text. Based on the context of shopping at Target and Walmart, eligible items likely include standard school supplies and clothing.
Consumer Savings and Behavior The financial impact of the tax holiday can be significant. One shopper, Eric Neddo, reported saving $13.48 on a subtotal of $135.19. The local sales tax rate in that area was 9.975%. Shoppers often arrive early to avoid depleted inventory, as supplies can be "picked-over" by Sunday.
Community Support Alternatives For families facing financial difficulties, the Kansas City Public Schools Education Foundation holds an annual event. This event provides free school supplies, immunizations, physical examinations, and CPR instruction. In one year, the foundation expected to serve over 3,300 families and distribute approximately 5,000 backpacks stuffed with supplies. While officials acknowledged that children often prefer to choose their own backpack colors, this program ensures access to necessary materials.
Tax Day Food Deals and Freebies
Tax Day promotions are widely offered by restaurant chains to alleviate the stress of tax filing. These deals generally require specific actions, such as membership in a rewards program or the use of a promo code.
Krispy Kreme On April 15, Krispy Kreme offers a deal where purchasing any dozen doughnuts in-shop results in a second Original Glazed dozen for the price of sales tax. Online orders for pickup or delivery at regular price using the promo code "TAXBREAK" yield a free second dozen. The limit is two dozen per guest in-shop and one free dozen online.
Hooters Hooters offers select appetizers for $4.15 on April 15. To redeem, customers must apply a reward within the Hooters app at checkout at participating locations. Eligible appetizers include mozzarella sticks, fried pickles, chips & queso, and buffalo shrimp.
Burger King Royal Perks members can obtain a 1-cent cheeseburger with a $1 purchase on April 15. This offer is available at participating restaurants.
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Freddy's offers double points on purchases made through its app on Tax Day.
Casey's Casey's provides discounts on Tax Day, though specific details on the discount structure are not provided in the source material.
7-Eleven 7-Eleven is listed as offering Tax Day deals, but specific offer details are not provided in the source material.
Paris Baguette On April 15, Paris Baguette Rewards members receive a free pastry with any beverage purchase.
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen Pei Wei Rewards members can purchase any entrée for $10.40 on April 14 and 15. This offer is valid for dine-in or online orders via the site or app.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza Mountain Mike’s offers a free starter with the purchase of any pizza on Tax Day. The offer excludes mini pizzas.
Noodles & Company Noodles & Company hosts a "Taste Tour" from April 12 to 25, offering a new deal each day, including discounts and BOGO deals.
Olive Garden Through May 4, Olive Garden provides a free take-home entrée with the purchase of an entrée in-restaurant. Both dishes must be selected from a specific menu.
MUG Root Beer From April 7 to 18, MUG Root Beer offers a rebate for a free product (cans, bottles, etc., including Zero Sugar) up to a $4 value. Consumers must initiate a process to get the rebate, though the specific method (e.g., mail-in or digital receipt) is not detailed.
Smoothie King Smoothie King Healthy Rewards members can expect an exclusive offer on Tax Day (April 15) in 2026.
Sonny's BBQ Sonny's BBQ is expected to offer a discount on their St. Louis ribs for Tax Day next year.
Shake Shack Shake Shack may offer a freebie with a purchase of $10.40 when a promo code is used at checkout online or in-app.
Conclusion
Kansas City consumers can utilize two primary types of cost-saving events: the Missouri Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday and various Tax Day food promotions. The tax holiday provides a direct financial exemption on qualifying school items during a specific weekend in August, though it does not apply to purchases made in Kansas. For those unable to take advantage of the tax holiday, the Kansas City Public Schools Education Foundation offers a significant giveaway event. Tax Day, occurring in mid-April, features a wide array of food deals from major chains such as Krispy Kreme, Hooters, and Burger King. These deals typically require enrollment in rewards programs or the use of specific promo codes, and consumers should verify participation and limits at individual locations.