Stock up for school on tax free weekend, Aug 19-21

(DFW) Back-to-school shoppers in DFW will enjoy a break from state and local sales taxes Aug. 19-21, Texas’ annual tax holiday. Layaway plans can be used to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.
 
The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, saving shoppers about $8 for every $100 spent.

Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. According to the Window on State Government website, the exemption 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 luggage, briefcases, athletic bags, computer bags or purses. Up to ten backpacks may be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.

Texas families also get a break on most school supplies for elementary or secondary school students. 

Below is a list of qualifying school supplies (if priced less than $100), as detailed at the Texas Comptroller/Window on State Government website.

  • 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
 
Below is a list of clothing, footwear and backpacks and their exemption status, as detailedBelow is a list of qualifying school supplies (if priced less than $100), as detailed at the Texas Comptroller/Window on State Government website.

TAX-FREE

TAXED

  • 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
  • Accessories (generally) – barrettes, elastic ponytail holders, wallets, watches
  • Backpacks – unless for use by elementary and secondary students
  • Baseball cleats and pants
  • Belt buckles (without belt)
  • Boots – climbing, fishing, rubber work boots, ski, waders
  • Buttons and zippers
  • Cloth and lace, knitting yarns, and other fabrics
  • Dry cleaning services
  • Football pants
  • Golf gloves
  • Handbags and purses
  • Handkerchiefs
  • Hard hats
  • Helmets – bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle, sports
  • Ice skates
  • Jewelry
  • Laundering services
  • Leather goods – except belts with buckles and wearing apparel
  • Pads – football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee, shoulder
  • Personal flotation devices
  • Rented clothing (including uniforms, formal wear, and costumes)
  • Roller blades and skates
  • Safety clothing, glasses
  • Shoes – bicycle (cleated), bowling, golf

For more information, visit the Texas Comptroller/Window on State Government website.

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