Whether you’re in need of book bags, blackboard chalk or bell-bottom pants, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding shoppers they can save money on those and certain other items during the state’s sales tax holiday. This year, the sales tax holiday is scheduled for Fri, Sat and Sun, Aug. 10-12.
Kevin Lyons with the Comptroller’s Office said this is the 20th year and the comptroller's oldest tax free holiday.
“It starts at 12:01 Friday and ends Sunday at midnight. This law exempts tax being applied to a lot things like footwear, school supplies, backpacks all priced below $100,” said Lyons. “It also applies to online purchases, and it also applies to layaway, as long as you make that layaway purchase during the tax exempt period.”
The law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced below $100 from sales tax, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend during the weekend.
“You can buy as many items as you want, as long as they’re all priced below. Everybody thinks about oh, it’s back to school sales tax holiday, and that’s good for parents who’ve got kiddos in school,” said Lyons. “It’s also school uniforms, nurses scrubs, the uniforms that chefs wear. All those things can be purchased tax free.”
He added that i
t applies to diapers, but excludes jewelry.
“As Texas families begin the process of replacing their beach bags with book bags, Texas’ sales tax holiday is the perfect opportunity to save some money on the supplies families need before the school bell rings,” Hegar said. “As a dad to three young children, I know how these expenses can add up.”
Lists of apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax-free can be found on the Comptroller’s website at TexasTaxHoliday.org.
This year, shoppers will save an estimated $90.3 million in state and local sales taxes during the sales tax holiday.