By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
Texas shoppers can take advantage of the state’s annual sales tax holiday this weekend, Aug. 9-11.
This is the third year for the holiday to take place the second weekend of August, having previously been held the weekend prior.
“As Texas families begin the process of replacing their beach towels with lunch boxes, the sales tax holiday is the perfect opportunity to save money on supplies families need before the school bell rings,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “As a father of three, I know how these expenses can add up.”
State law exempts sales tax on qualified items such as clothing, footwear and school supplies priced below $100. Shoppers will save roughly $8 for every $100 they spend.
Consumers are predicted to save millions of dollars in state and local sales taxes this weekend, according to state officials.
Not everything will be tax-free this weekend, however. Items costing $100 or more, athletic gear and other items¬—such as purses, jewelry and accessories—are not tax exempt.
Exemption certificates are not required for tax-free items. Shoppers can even take advantage of the holiday by making the final payment on layaway items or by placing the item on layaway over the three days, if the items are eligible for tax-free status.
While shoppers can save during the weekend, it may be better to purchase some items when they go on sale, Joyce Cavanagh, AgriLife Extension specialist in family economics, said.
“Sometimes consumers are better off if they wait for some items to go on sale rather than purchasing them at full price during the tax-free weekend,” Cavanagh said. “But you can still save by shopping during the tax-free weekend, provided you make wise choices and don’t get too anxious to buy an item you think may be priced too high.”