All About Tax-Free Weekend

SAN ANGELO, TX — As the summer draws to a close and students prepare to return to school, Texas parents can take advantage of the state’s annual sales tax holiday to save on back-to-school essentials.

This year’s tax-free weekend begins Friday, Aug. 9, and runs through midnight on Sunday, Aug. 11.

During the sales tax holiday, many clothing items, shoes, and school supplies priced under $100 are exempt from sales tax. There is no limit on the number of eligible items that can be purchased during this period, allowing families to maximize their savings.

However, not all items qualify for the tax exemption. Products priced at $100 or more, as well as specialized athletic wear like golf cleats and football pads, are not included. Additionally, accessories such as jewelry, handbags, and briefcases, along with computers, software, and textbooks, remain taxable. Services like clothing rentals, alterations, and cleaning are also not exempt.

The sales tax holiday applies to both in-store and online purchases. To qualify, the purchase must be completed during the designated three-day period. For example, if an online order for qualifying items is placed on Sunday, Aug. 11, but the items are not shipped until later, the purchase still qualifies for the exemption.

Shoppers should be mindful of shipping and handling charges, as they can impact eligibility for the tax exemption. If the total cost, including these fees, pushes the price of an item over $100, the item becomes taxable.

If a shopper inadvertently pays sales tax on a qualifying item, they can request a refund from the seller.

The seller can either grant the refund or provide their customer with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund (PDF), which allows the purchaser to file the refund claim directly with the Comptroller’s office.

For a full list of qualifying school supplies click here.

For a full list of qualifying clothing items click here.