Abigail Richards

Sales Tax Free Weekend In Texas Offers More This Year



Posted: Friday, August 07, 2009

by Abigail Richards

Sales Tax Free weekend in Texas starts Aug. 21 and runs to Aug. 23.

For the first time, Texas sales tax free weekend will include school supplies under $100. As a mom, I always hated that I needed to buy over $100 before I would be eligible for not paying sales tax.

It seemed backwards to me. The point of having the sales tax weekend in August was to help out with back to school costs. School supplies is one of those major expenses. This year the legislature took action and it is now included on the list.

That means binders, book bags, calculators, blackboard chalk, compasses, composition books, crayons, erasers, folders, glue, highlighters, index cards, legal pads, lunch boxes, markers notebooks, paper, pencil boxes, pencils and sharpeners, pens, protractors, rulers, scissors and writing tablets are all on the list as long as they are under $100.

I am thankful for this weekend every year. Not only are we now able to buy supplies, we also get big discounts on clothes, footwear and other back-to-school essentials.

On average, customers save $8 on every $100 spent. I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but when you have multiple kids, that savings can really rack up.

Also included on the list are work clothes, baby clothes, coats, etc. so it is the best time to buy for the season. That is, of course, you can beat the crowds. My suggestion is to do the early, early morning sales at the stores. Many stores are open early and staying open late during this weekend. Take advantage of it.

Also, Fridays seem to be more crowded since it is the first day of the weekend. Saturday during the day can be deadly. I learned that the hard way.

I know some will say that $8 is not worth the crowds. In this economy, I think it could be an answer to prayer. Do get out the elbow pads and pack a survival kit of high protein snacks and hit the store with a smile! You will be sure and irritate the other shoppers.

For a complete list of items that are tax-free, visit online at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html

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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Anonymous
 2 years 275 days ago.
Too bad I can't save on the graphing calculator, TI-84 at Target. it is $102.49.
» left by Anonymous 2 years 272 days ago.
actually, texas has always let people pay w/out tax on items under $100. That's actually the rule, that it has to be under $100. I don't know where you've been living, but it's not texas. Please check your facts before you publish.
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