HOUSTON — Back-to-school shopping season is ramping up, and if you’re planning to stock up on clothes, shoes or school supplies, you’ll want to set aside time this weekend.
Texas’ annual tax-free weekend begins Friday, Aug. 7, and runs through midnight Sunday, Aug. 9, giving shoppers a chance to save the state’s 6.25% sales tax on many back-to-school essentials.
Whether you’re shopping at a local store or ordering online, knowing which items qualify — and how the $100 price limit works — could help you avoid paying unexpected sales tax.
What qualifies during Texas’ tax-free weekend?
During the sales tax holiday, shoppers can save on most:
– Clothing
– Footwear
– School supplies
– Office supplies
– Backpacks
To qualify, each eligible item must cost less than $100. There is no limit to the number of qualifying items you can purchase.
You can shop tax-free at qualifying Texas retailers in person, online, by mail or over the phone, as long as your purchase is completed during the three-day holiday.
The best buys this weekend
KHOU 11’s Brheanna Berry says some purchases offer especially good value during the tax-free weekend.
Work and uniform clothing
If your family needs durable clothing for school or work, this is a good time to buy items such as:
– Scrubs
– Jeans
– Scout uniforms
Because these are often worn throughout the year, they’re among the best investments during the sales tax holiday.
Premium footwear
Higher-quality shoes that normally fall just under the $100 limit can also provide some of the biggest savings.
That includes:
– Sneakers
– Hiking boots
– Leather shoes
Many of these items are typically priced between $80 and $99, making them eligible for the tax break.
School supplies
You can also stock up on everyday classroom essentials.
Consider buying multi-packs of:
– Pens
– Binders
– Markers
– Notebooks
Since many individual school supply items cost well under $100, buying in bulk can help families prepare for the school year while still qualifying for the exemption.
One mistake that could cost you
There’s one important rule shoppers should remember before heading to checkout.
Clothing, backpacks and school or office supplies only qualify if each individual item costs less than $100.
That includes certain added costs.
For example, if you purchase a pair of jeans priced at $95 and pay a $10 delivery charge, bringing the total price to $105, the purchase no longer qualifies for the tax exemption. In that case, sales tax is due on the entire $105 purchase.
Checking the final sale price of each eligible item before completing your purchase could help you avoid an unexpected tax bill.
Items that don’t qualify
Not every purchase is tax-free.
Items that do not qualify include:
– Items priced at $100 or more
– Clothing subscription boxes
– Specially designed athletic or protective clothing and footwear
– Clothing alterations and cleaning services
– Materials used to make or repair clothing
– Jewelry
– Handbags and purses
– Wallets
– Watches
– Luggage and briefcases
– Computers
– Software
– Textbooks
– Computer bags
– Athletic, duffle and gym bags
– Framed backpacks
Need help preparing for back to school?
KHOU 11 wants to hear from parents as students prepare to return to the classroom.
You can text “SCHOOL” to 713-526-1111 to take the station’s Back-to-School Parent Survey. Your responses will help guide KHOU 11’s back-to-school coverage.
