Tax Free Weekend is THIS Weekend

Most parents, and even some kids, are on the countdown for back to school and Texas is ready to help. This weekend, Friday, August 10th thru Sunday, August 12th is tax free weekend. Texas Tax Free weekend is an annual event where school supplies, backpacks and clothes/shoes purchases will not be charged tax as long as no single item costs more than $100. The cost of shipping is included in item cost, so if the item is $95 and shipping costs $7, you still pay tax on the entire $102. Sales tax is 8.25%, so (barring the exclusions) shoppers save $8.25 per $100 spent on a total order. Most stores will have ordered extra inventory to put out overnight Thursday into Friday but inventory of certain items could still disappear quickly, so if you are shopping for those elusive Ticonderoga pencils for your Kindergartner, you might want to shop early!

This “holiday” not only helps Texas families get their kids ready for school, it supports the economy as well. Yes, most of the items shoppers are buying would still get purchased over a period of time (versus in one day), but more people eat out during Tax Free Weekend than average; shopping with your kids is thirsty business. Also, sales in stores catering to children encourage bulk buys in quantities larger than previously planned. As August comes to a close, watch out for bus drivers learning their routes and increased activities around high schools as practice starts for sports, marching bands and other school groups. Most schools will have an orientation or meet the teacher the third week of August with area schools resuming the week of August 27th. For information on your local school, check your district website or ask on your neighborhood Nextdoor page.