Tax free shopping set Aug. 7-9
Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 7-9, the state’s annual tax holiday.
School supply items and clothing make up the list of exempt items, which until four years ago had been limited to clothing and backpacks.
Online shopping is also covered.
The law exempts most school supplies, 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 that will be used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt, provided that the backpack is outfitted with straps to be worn on the back. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels 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. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.
Qualifying school supplies are listed as follows:
Binders, book bags, calculators, cellophane tape, blackboard chalk, compasses, composition books, crayons, erasers, folders (expandable, pocket, plastic, manila), glue (paste, 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, construction paper), pencils, pencil boxes and school supply boxes, pencil sharpeners, pens, protractors, rulers, scissors, writing tablets.
Other tax-free items are as follows:
Baby clothes, backpacks as defined above, belts with attached buckles, cowboy or hiking boots, caps/hats, coats and wraps, adult and baby diapers, dresses, most gloves, gym suits and uniforms, hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts, hosiery, jackets, jeans, baseball and football jerseys.
Also jogging apparel, neckwear and ties, pajamas, pants and trousers, raincoats and ponchos, robes, shirts, shoes (sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking), socks, shorts, suits, slacks, jackets, sweatshirts, sweat suits, sweaters, swimsuits, underclothes, work clothes and uniforms.
