Sales tax holiday kicks off Friday

Both shoppers and retailers are getting ready for the annual sales tax holiday, also called the tax-free weekend, which starts Friday and ends Sunday.

“I try to save where I can, so I spend where I can’t save,” said Carmen Cedillo, a Fort Worth mother of three who will hit the stores this weekend with gift cards, coupons and a keen eye for a good sale.

Most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks under $100 are excluded from state sales and use taxes. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts says the tax relief saves shoppers about $8 on every $100 spent.

Shoppers are expected to save an estimated $87 million in state and local sales taxes, according to the comptroller.

Lists of clothes and school items that qualify for the tax break are available in English and Spanish on the comptroller’s website.

Retail stores and malls across North Texas have been preparing for the annual stampede that typically kicks off the back-to-school shopping season in Texas. Some malls and stores will have sales and extended hours, while online retailers are wooing shoppers with coupons and free shipping.

“The sales tax holiday has grown as an event every year,” said Ronnie Volkening, president of the Texas Retailers Association in Austin.

Tax-free weekend started in 1999, he said. At the time, the break only for clothing worth up to $100 in value, he said. In 2007, backpacks were added and in 2009, school supplies were put on the list.

“It has grown in popularity,” Volkening said, adding that it’s one of the biggest events of the year for retailers. He said it also benefits stores that don’t have items that are tax-free because shoppers believe it’s a good opportunity to buy more.

Holly Conner, director of marketing and business development for North East Mall in Hurst, said the mall will be open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“It is pretty significant in terms of traffic and sales potential,” Connor said.

Cedillo, a self-described “couponer,” plans to check out deals at Target, Gap and Buckle for her high school senior, third-grader and baby. She said the trick is to find a sale and also get the tax break.

“I try to maximize the money I have to spend,” she said.

This story was originally published August 6, 2015 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Sales tax holiday kicks off Friday."