Get ready to save, Texas! The annual Sales Tax Holiday will begin Friday, Aug. 11, and run through Sunday, Aug. 13.
During the holiday, shoppers are exempt from paying sales and use taxes on most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks under $100.
That saves shoppers about $8 on every $100 spent, according to Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.
“Most folks won’t hear the back-to-school bell for another month, but it’s never too early to take advantage of the opportunity to save money on everything from ball caps to ballpoint pens,” Hegar said. “As the father of three young children, I know how these expenses can add up.”
Items sold online, by telephone and mail are eligible for the sales tax exemption. Layaway may also be used as long as the qualifying merchandise is placed on layaway during the sales tax holiday. Customers can also save the sales tax on eligible items in layaway as long as the final payment is made during the holiday.
Items over $100 will still be taxed.
Athletic clothing, golf cleats and football pads will still be taxed. But tennis shoes, jogging suits and swimsuits all qualify for the tax exemption.
School supplies are exempt unless the person purchasing the items uses a business account. In that instance, an exemption certificate clarifying that the items are for school use is needed to save the sales tax.
Aprons, baby bibs, jeans, jackets, baby clothes, general purpose boots, skirts, sleepwear, socks, sweaters and other items are all tax exempt during the holiday.
A full list of taxable and exempt items can be found here. Items on the list marked with a “T” are taxable. Items marked with an “E” are exempt during the holiday.
The date for the state Sales Tax Holiday is set annually by the Texas Legislature.