Texas Tax-Free Weekend begins Friday for back-to-school shopping

BEAUMONT, Texas — Texas shoppers can avoid paying the state’s 6.25% sales tax on qualifying back-to-school items during the annual tax-free weekend running Friday, Aug. 8 through midnight Sunday, Aug. 10.

The tax exemption applies to clothing and footwear under $100 per item, with no limit on quantity. Eligible items include casual shoes, T-shirts and pants. Student backpacks, including wheeled and messenger styles, also qualify for the tax break if they cost under $100, with shoppers able to purchase up to 10 bags.

School supplies such as binders, notebooks, pencils, glue, rulers and calculators are included in the tax exemption without price restrictions.

Several categories remain subject to sales tax during the weekend. Items costing over $100 will be taxed, as will specialty athletic gear including cleats and football pads. Regular sneakers may still qualify for the exemption.

Accessories including watches, purses, umbrellas, luggage and computer bags do not qualify for tax-free status. Textbooks, software and computers also remain taxable.

Online purchases count toward the tax exemption as long as payment is processed between Aug. 8-10. However, shipping and handling charges count toward the $100 threshold that determines tax eligibility.

If you buy a $95 item with a $10 shipping fee, that pushes it above the $100 limit, and that means it becomes taxable, according to the state guidelines.

The tax-free weekend aims to provide savings for families preparing for the upcoming school year.

Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10

What qualifies:

Clothing and footwear under $100 per item (like jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers)
Backpacks, including roller-style and messenger bags (limit 10 per customer)
Basic school supplies, including:

• Binders
• Calculators
• Glue
• Notebooks
• Pencils
• Rulers

What’s still taxable:

Items over $100

Specialty athletic gear (e.g., cleats, football pads — sneakers are exempt)

Accessories, such as:

• Watches
• Purses
• Umbrellas
• Luggage
• Laptop/computer bags

Electronics, including:

• Textbooks
• Software
• Computers

• Online orders count if payment is processed during the tax-free weekend.
• Shipping fees apply to the $100 limit. A $95 item with $10 shipping becomes taxable.
• If you accidentally pay tax on a qualifying item, you can request a refund from the retailer or file a claim with the Texas Comptroller’s Office.