August 15-17, 2008Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 15, 16 and 17 - the state’s annual tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.
The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. A backpack is a pack with straps one wears on the back. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags. The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.
A word of caution: If you sell items that do not qualify for the exemption, you may not advertise or promise that you will pay your customers’ sales tax. Additionally, you are prohibited from advertising that you will not collect sales tax on items that do not qualify. You may advertise that tax is included in the sales price of the taxable items that you sell, however.
For information on how to report tax on these sales, please visit
List of Items and Their Exemption Status :
TAX-FREE
- Baby clothes
- Backpacks for use by elementary and secondary students
Belts with attached buckles - Boots - cowboy, hiking
- Caps/hats - baseball, fishing, golf, knitted
- Coats and wraps
- Diapers - adult and baby
- Dresses
- Gloves (generally)
Gym suits and uniforms - Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts
- Hosiery
- Jackets
- Jeans
- Jerseys - baseball and football
- Jogging apparel
- Neckwear and ties
- Pajamas
- Pants and trousers
- Raincoats and ponchos
- Robes
- Shirts
- Shoes - sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking
- Socks (including athletic)
- Shorts
- Suits, slacks, and jackets
- Sweatshirts
- Sweat suits
- Sweaters
- Swimsuits
- Underclothes
- Work clothes and uniforms
TAXED
- Accessories (generally) - barrettes, elastic ponytail holders, wallets, watches
- Backpacks - unless for use by elementary and secondary students
- Baseball cleats and pants
- Belt buckles (without belt)
- Boots - climbing, fishing, rubber work boots, ski, waders
- Buttons and zippers
- Cloth and lace, knitting yarns, and other fabrics
- Dry cleaning services
- Football pants
- Golf gloves
- Handbags and purses
- Handkerchiefs
- Hard hats
- Helmets - bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle, sports
- Ice skates
- Jewelry
- Laundering services
- Leather goods - except belts with buckles and wearing apparel
- Pads - football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee, shoulder
- Personal flotation devices
- Rented clothing (including uniforms, formal wear, and costumes)
- Roller blades and skates
- Safety clothing, glasses
- Shoes - bicycle (cleated), bowling, golf
