How to make the most of the tax-free weekend

Get a bang for your buck while shopping for back-to-school items this tax-free weekend. The sales tax holiday includes tax exemption on footwear, school supplies, and clothing.

FTW-university-park-village

Peruse all the offerings in University Park Village.

Photo by FTWtoday

Today marks the beginning of the highly awaited Texas Sales Tax Holiday — aka the best time for back-to-school shopping.

The annual summer tax-free holiday runs through Sunday, Aug. 13, and is geared toward items under $100. Here’s what qualifies for tax exemption:

School supplies
Binders, book bags, calculators, composition books, crayons, erasers, glue, highlighters, and rulers, among other things. | Shop local stationery stores

Clothing
Jackets, dresses, baby clothes, hunting and fishing vests, golf uniforms, and workout clothes. Note: Helmets and sports apparel are not included. | Shop local boutiques

Footwear
Boat shoes, cowboy boots, hiking boots, dress shoes, sandals, sneakers. Note: Sports gear like dance shoes and cleats are not included. | Shop local for sneakers + boots

Accessories | Rain hats, winter hats, leather gloves, belts, and face masks. Note: Jewelry and purses are not included.

Last-minute pro tips:

  • Coupons can still be used during the tax-free weekend.
  • The discount will be applied for online shopping as long as the shipping address is in Texas.
  • Check the complete list of tax-free items in advance.