Texas’ biggest tax-free weekend is here. See what qualifies, and what doesn’t
Inflation fears heat up in Texas as thoughts of back-to-school shopping creep back to parents’ minds. But relief is coming in the form of a tax-free holiday the first weekend of August.
The tax exemption can be used for items such as pencils, notebooks and backpacks for as long as the item is under $100. The annual Comptroller of Public Accounts sales tax exemption is Aug. 5-7, and includes items purchased with coupons as long as the price is under $100.
The National Retail Federation reported earlier this month that 84% of school shoppers are expected to see higher prices this year.
Texas’ back-to-school shoppers can buy items in stores or online. However tax is due on the entire price if a delivery fee pushes an item past $100.
Items bought online or by phone can be shipped past the date as long as the purchase is made during the tax holiday.
What qualifies as tax-free?
Qualifying products you can buy tax-free:
- Clothing or footwear
- School backpack (Purchased for use by student in public or private elementary or secondary school)
- Binders
- Book bags
- Calculators
- Cellophane tape
- Blackboard chalk
- Compasses
- Composition books
- Crayons
- Erasers
- Folders
- Glue
- Highlighters
- Index cards
- Lunch boxes
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Paper
- Pencils
- Pencil sharpeners
- Pencil boxes
- Pens
- Protractors
- Rulers
- Scissors
- Writing tablets
What’s not tax-free
- Athletic clothing, footwear or protective gear
- Athletic bags
- Clothing or footwear rentals
- Briefcases
- Computer bags
- Computers
- Textbooks
- Accessories
This story was originally published July 11, 2022 at 1:16 PM.