This year’s sale tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 11, and goes through midnight Sunday, Aug. 13
According to the Texas Comptroller's Office, the items on the list that qualify for exemption from tax during the sales tax holiday must be priced under $100.
Here is the list of items that are exempt from taxes during the Texas Tax Free Weekend:
School Supplies:
– Binders
– Blackboard chalk
– Book bags
– Calculators
– Cellophane tape
– 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 (including dry-erase 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
Uniforms and Clothing:
– Elastic ponytail holders
– Hair bows
– Hair clips
– Key cases
– Wallets
– Watch bands
– Watches
– Aprons (household)
– Baby bibs
– Baby clothes
– Baby diapers (cloth or disposable)
– Baseball caps
– Baseball gloves
– Baseball jerseys
– Baseball pants
– Bathing caps
– Belts with attached buckles
– Bow ties
– Bowling shirts
– Bowling shoes (rented and sold)
– Bras
– Camp clothes
– Caps (baseball, fishing, golf)
– Chef uniforms
– Children’s novelty costumes
– Clerical vestments
– Cloth and lace, knitting yarns, and other fabrics
– Clothing repair items, such as thread, buttons, tapes, and iron-on patches
– Coats and wraps
– Corsages and boutonnieres
– Coveralls
– Diapers (cloth and disposable)
– Dresses
– Earmuffs (cold weather)
– Elbow pads
– Embroidery
– Fabrics, thread, buttons, lace, patterns, knitting yarns
– Fishing caps
– Fishing vests (non-flotation)
– Golf caps
– Golf dresses
– Golf gloves
– Golf jackets and windbreakers
– Golf shirts
– Golf skirts
– Graduation caps and gowns
– Gym suits and uniforms
– Hair nets, bows, clips, and barrettes
– Handbags and purses
– Handkerchiefs
– Hard hats
– Hats
– Headbands
– Helmets (bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle, sports)
– Hockey gloves
– Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts
– Hosiery, including support hosiery
– Hunting vests
– Ice skates
– Insoles
– Jackets
– Jeans
– Jewelry
– Jogging apparel
– Knee pads
– Knitted caps or hats
– Leg warmers
– Leotards and tights
– Life jackets and vests
– Luggage
– Mask, costume
– Mask, cloth and disposable fabric face masks
– Mask, protective – N95, welder, umpire, swim or other similar personal protection equipment
– Monogramming services
– Neckwear and ties
– Nightgowns and nightshirts
– Overshoes and rubber shoes
– Pads (football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee, shoulder)
– Paint or dust respirators and incidental supplies
– Painter pants
– Pajamas
– Pants
– Pantyhose
– Patterns
– Personal flotation devices
– Pocket squares
– Protective gloves
– Protective masks
– Raincoats and ponchos
– Rain hats
– Religious clothing
– Repair of clothing or footwear
– Ribbons
– Robes
– Roller blades
– Roller skates
– Safety glasses (except prescription)
– Scarves
– Scout uniforms
– Sewing patterns
– Shawls and wraps
– Shin guards and padding
– Shirts
– Shirts (hooded)
– Shoe inserts
– Shoelaces
– Shoes (generally)
– Skirts
– Sleepwear, nightgowns, pajamas
– Slippers
– Slips
– Soccer socks
– Socks
– Sports helmets
– Sports pads (football, hockey, soccer, knee, elbow, shoulder)
– Suits, slacks, and jackets
– Sunglasses (except prescription)
– Support hosiery
– Suspenders
– Sweatbands (arm, wrist, head)
– Sweatshirts
– Sweat suits
– Sweaters
– Swimming masks and goggles
– Swimsuits
– Tennis dresses
– Tennis shorts
– Tennis shoes
– Tennis skirts
– Ties (neckties – all)
– Tights
– Track shoes and cleats
– Trousers
– Umbrellas
– Underclothes
– Underpants
– Undershirts
– Uniforms (school, work, nurse, waitress, military, postal, police, fire)
– Veils
– Vests (generally)
– Wallets
– Watch bands
– Watches
– Water ski vests
– Weight lifting belts
– Wet and dry suits
– Work clothes
– Work uniforms
– Workout clothes
– Wrist bands
As the summer break winds down, it's time to shift gears and prepare for the upcoming school year. And what better way to kick-start the academic journey than by embarking on the ever-exciting back-to-school shopping adventure? Whether you're a student, parent, or guardian, it's essential to make the most of this time to gather all the necessary supplies and set the stage for a successful year. So, grab your shopping list and get ready to conquer the stores with these helpful tips!
1️⃣ Take Inventory: Before diving headfirst into the bustling world of back-to-school shopping, take stock of what you already have. Sort through your closets, drawers, and study spaces to identify any reusable items like backpacks, lunchboxes, or stationery. This will not only save you money but also prevent unnecessary clutter.
2️⃣ Create a Shopping List: Prepare a comprehensive shopping list to stay organized and ensure you don't miss any essentials. Include items such as notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, binders, folders, calculators, art supplies, and any specialized tools or textbooks required for your courses. Prioritize your list based on urgency and budgetary constraints.
3️⃣ Set a Budget: Speaking of budgets, it's crucial to establish a spending limit before hitting the stores. Back-to-school shopping can become overwhelming, with flashy displays and enticing promotions, but sticking to a budget will help you make sensible decisions. Consider allocating funds for different categories, such as clothing, school supplies, and technology, and try to find affordable options without compromising on quality.
4️⃣ Shop Early and Shop Smart: Avoid the last-minute rush by starting your back-to-school shopping early. As the academic season approaches, the stores tend to get crowded, and popular items may go out of stock. Take advantage of early-bird discounts and promotions to save money and reduce stress. Additionally, consider online shopping, as it provides convenience, wider options, and often exclusive deals.
5️⃣ Involve Your Child: If you're a parent or guardian, involve your child in the shopping process. This not only helps them feel included and empowered but also teaches them valuable budgeting and decision-making skills. Allow them to choose their backpack, select their favorite stationery, and express their personal style through clothing choices (within reason, of course). It can be an exciting bonding experience for both of you.
6️⃣ Don't Forget Technology: In today's digital age, technology plays a significant role in education. Ensure your child has the necessary tech tools like laptops, tablets, or calculators required for their studies. Check with the school to see if they have any specific recommendations or requirements. Look for student discounts or back-to-school tech deals to make these purchases more affordable.
7️⃣ Embrace Sustainability: Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to be all about buying new things. Consider eco-friendly alternatives and promote sustainability. Opt for reusable lunch containers, water bottles, and eco-friendly stationery options. Encourage your child to recycle and repurpose items from the previous year, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility.
8️⃣ Stay Organized: Once you've completed your back-to-school shopping, help your child organize their supplies. Label their belongings, use color-coded folders or dividers for different subjects, and establish a dedicated study area at home. A well-organized environment will contribute to a more productive and focused academic experience.
Remember, back-to-school shopping is more than just acquiring materials; it's a symbol of new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and growth. Approach it with enthusiasm, and make the most of this time to set the stage for an incredible academic journey. Happy shopping, and here's to a successful school year ahead! 🎉📚✨
