Tax free shopping holiday begins tomorrow, August 21.
This year for the first time school supplies have been added to the tax-free shopping list. This should help many parents save by shopping during the upcoming tax free holiday, which runs Friday through Sunday.
Texas shoppers will be exempt from local and state sales taxes for many school-related items during this time. Shoppers should save about 8% or $8 on every $100 spent. The Texas comptroller has exempted from sales tax clothing and footwear under $100, backpacks under $100 for elementary and secondary students, and layaway items.
New this year will be a tax cut on items such as pens, paper, binders, notebooks and other standard school supplies. Also exempt are messenger bags and backpacks with wheels as long as they can be attached to the back like a regular backpack.
There are some limitations on tax free shopping such as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffel/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. No more than 10 backpacks can be purchased at one time without an exemption certificate.
The tax break is estimated to save families nearly $9 million in state and local sales taxes this year on school supplies, for a total savings of $65.7 million in state and local sales taxes, according to the Texas comptroller's office.
Retailers will observe extended hours during the tax-free shopping holiday. Many stores will be open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Do you plan on doing some tax-free shopping week-end? What are you planning to buy?
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... oh thank goodness my wife is a little far from San An !
I hope the weekend generates lots of buying activity for you and your local peeps Shirley !
Cheers !
Sheldon
Hi Shirley, What a neat idea! We took our grandkids school supply shopping a while back, it was something I wanted to do -- and I was amazed how many things that were on their school supply list!
Ceil is ready to go. She stopped by a couple stores on her way home. They were talking about going to Walmart first.
Howdy there Shirley
Over in VT they do a Tax free weekend also. They don't have to do one here in NH, seen that theres no State or Local Tax's on things you buy here. But by them not haven those Taxes, it sure does make all the other Taxes and fees a lot higher. Folks from all the near by States always come here to buy there stuff, for that reason. Glad y'all get save on it at back to school time.
Hi Shirley... stay away from the WalMart or Target this weekend unless you are a serious shopper! They're going to be packed!
I remember last year not remember when the weekend was until I read a few posts. Luckily I can count on my Texas Realtors to keep me posted (at least the ones here on AR). Thanks Shirley.
Hi Sheldon, I may venture out to do a little shopping.
Hi Mary, I still love fresh, new school supplies.
Hi Carl, Look how much money she will save. 8%ish is good.
Hi Dale, You must have a state income tax since you have no sales tax.
Hi Steve, I'm not a big shopper but I do like to save money. If it is too crowded, count me out.
Hi John, Have fun shopping this week-end!
Shirley, good reminder for all of us, I will go and buy my years supply of give away folders during back to school shopping time. It saves me tons of money throughout the year. Last year I bought folders for 5cents each and after the sales went away, they were 45-60 cents each. OfficeMax here I come!
Shirley - this is a great idea, we had our tax free week end last week end. Unfortunately, next years has been canceled because of the economy.
Howdy there Shirley
The Stste of New Hampshire does not have a State Incame either. They use higher property Tax, and other fees. As one of the ways to make up for not haven the other Taxes.
Gail, Good idea! I will have to do the same!
Mike, Maybe the economy will be better next year?
Dale, They find a way to get you! What is that saying, the only things certain in life are death and taxes. LOL