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This year's back to school sales tax holiday is underway, and runs through Sunday. But Karen Hudgins at the Teas Comptroller's Office says you need to know the rules before you hit the store or shop online.
"Qualifying items must cost under $100, and you can buy most clothes, shoes backpacks and other school items," Hudgins said. "Accessories like briefcases and gym bags are not eligible."
The following items do not qualify for this exemption:
- framed backpacks
- luggage
- briefcases
- athletic, duffle or gym bags
- computer bags
- purses
Only the school supplies on this list priced under $100 qualify for exemption from tax during the sales tax holiday.
- Binders
- Blackboard chalk
- Book bags
- Calculators
- Cellophane tape
- Compasses
- Composition books
- Crayons
- Erasers
- Folders – expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila
- Glue, paste and paste sticks
- Highlighters
- Index cards
- Index card boxes
- Kits*
- Legal pads
- Lunch boxes
- Markers (including dry erase markers)
- Notebooks
- Paper – loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper
- Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes
- Pencil sharpeners
- Pencils
- Pens
- Protractors
- Rulers
- Scissors
- Writing tablets
The sales tax holiday turns 25 years old this year; Texans have saved nearly $2 Billion in sales tax by taking advantage of the holiday over the years.