Texas Tax-Free Weekend Starts Tomorrow!

Well it's that time of year again. Time for the boys to get new socks and underwear, my hubby to get some new jeans and white t-shirts. I wait until this Tax-Free weekend (if at all possible) to purchase neccessities, stocking up on them, so I won't have to purchase for another year. Saving only $8 per $100 doesn't seem like much - but over time it does add up! When I was expecting the boys, I purchased diapers and stored them for when I would need them - and as moms know, any savings on diapers is appreciated!! Plus, if you have a coupon and are also saving the sales tax, you can really see the savings add up.

Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 20, 21 and 22 - the state's annual tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.

As in previous years, the law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. A backpack is a pack with straps one wears on the back. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags. The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks.

School Supplies
The 81st Texas Legislature passed HB 1801 (2009) expanding the list of items qualifying for exemption from Texas state and local sales and use taxes during the annual sales tax holiday in August. In addition to clothes, footwear and some backpacks, Texas families also get a sales tax break on most school supplies priced at less than $100 purchased for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school.

The following is an all-inclusive list of qualifying school supplies (if priced less than $100):

• Binders


• Book bags


• Calculators


• Cellophane tape


• Blackboard chalk


• Compasses


• Composition books


• Crayons


• Erasers


• Folders; expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila


• Glue, paste and paste sticks


• Highlighters


• Index cards


• Index card boxes


• Legal pads


• Lunch boxes


• 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

List of Clothing, Footwear and Backpacks:

• Baby clothes


• Backpacks for use by elementary and secondary students


• Belts with attached buckles


• Boots - cowboy, hiking


• Caps/hats - baseball, fishing, golf, knitted


• Coats and wraps


• Diapers - adult and baby


• Dresses


• Gloves (generally)


• Gym suits and uniforms


• Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts


• Hosiery


• Jackets


• Jeans


• Jerseys - baseball and football


• Jogging apparel


• Neckwear and ties


• Pajamas


• Pants and trousers


• Raincoats and ponchos


• Robes


• Shirts


• Shoes - sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking


• Socks (including athletic)


• Shorts


• Suits, slacks, and jackets


• Sweatshirts


• Sweat suits


• Sweaters


• Swimsuits


• Underclothes


• Work clothes and uniforms