The Texas Comptroller is encouraging all taxpayers to support local businesses while saving money during the annual tax-free weekend. This event allows for tax-free purchases of most back-to-school items such as clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks sold for less than $100.
This year’s sales tax holiday starts on Friday, August 9, and runs until midnight on Sunday, August 11.
The sales tax exemption applies only to qualifying items bought during the sales tax holiday. Items purchased before or after this period are not eligible for the exemption, and no tax refunds will be provided. Qualifying items can be bought tax-free from Texas stores or online and catalog sellers doing business in Texas. Generally, no exemption certificate is needed to make these tax-free purchases.
During the sales tax holiday, you can purchase most footwear and clothing (sold for less than $100) without paying sales tax. No exemption certificate is needed. The exemption applies to each eligible item sold for less than $100, with no limit on the number of qualifying items you can buy.
For example, if you buy two shirts for $80 each, both shirts qualify for the exemption since each is less than $100, even though the total cost is $160.
Items that do not qualify include items sold for $100 or more, clothing subscription boxes, or specially-designed athletic activity or protective-use clothing or footwear. For instance, golf cleats and football pads, typically worn only for golf or football, do not qualify for the exemption. However, tennis shoes, jogging suits and swimsuits, which can be worn for activities other than sports, do qualify.
For a list of qualifying items, visit the link here.
If you pay sales tax on qualifying items during the sales tax holiday, you can ask the seller for a refund of the tax paid. The seller can either grant the refund or provide their customer with Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, which allows the purchaser to file the refund claim directly with the Comptroller’s office.
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