What you need to know about Texas' sales tax holiday this weekend
Texas shoppers won't have to pay sales tax on a wide array of items, from school supplies to diapers, Friday through Sunday. Texas' annual August tax-free weekend allows people to stock up before school starts and save on sales tax. In Austin, that's 8.25 cents for every dollar on taxable items. It's all part of getting ready to head back to school.
Locally, the Dell Valle school district will start classes Aug. 9; Thrall on Aug. 10; Austin, Bartlett, Hutto and Manor on Aug. 15; Dripping Springs, Elgin, Hays, Lake Travis, Luling and Pflugerville on Aug. 16; Bastrop, Burnet, Coupland, Eanes, Giddings, Granger, Jarrell, Lago Vista, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Marble Falls, McDade, Round Rock, Taylor and Wimberley on Aug. 17; Florence and Georgetown on Aug. 18; San Marcos on Aug. 22; and Smithville on Aug. 23.
Saving the sales tax is great, but also look for other deals that might be even better. Sometimes those deals go away on tax-free weekend, only to return later.
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Here's what will be tax-free this weekend:
School supplies: Backpacks and book bags; binders; blackboard chalk; calculators; cellophane tape; compasses; composition books; crayons; erasers; folders — expandable, pocket, plastic and manila; glue; highlighters; index cards; index card boxes; legal pads; lunchboxes; markers (including dry-erase markers); notebooks; paper; pencil boxes and other school supply boxes; pencil sharpeners; pencils; pens; protractors; rulers; scissors; and writing tablets.
Clothing: Most clothing, coats, pajamas, most shoes, socks, sports hats, sports jerseys, swimsuits, ties, underwear and uniforms.
Facemasks: Both cloth and disposable.
Others: Adult and baby diapers.
Qualifying items are tax-free whether they are purchased online or in a store, but they must be paid for during the tax-free weekend and shipped or received immediately. They do not have to arrive during tax-free weekend. Layaway items either completed or started during tax-free weekend also qualify.
What’s not tax-free?
Athletic items: Sports clothing used only for the purpose of a sport, sports equipment, and shoes such as cleats or fishing boots.
Educational materials: Computers, textbooks and software.
Sewing items: Fabric, buttons and zippers.
Accessories: All accessories, including jewelry and watches.
Bags: Briefcases, luggage, purses, wallets and more than 10 backpacks.
Any item that is more than $100.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What you need to know about Texas' sales tax holiday this weekend
