When does the tax free weekend in Texas start? Dates, duration and price limits

Texans can save some cash this weekend while helping students get the supplies they’ll need to return to the classroom over the coming weeks.

With back-to-school season upon us, the state will hold a tax-free weekend this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (August 6-8), with no sales tax charged on purchases of most clothing, shoes, school supplies and backpacks that cost less than $100, according to the Texas comptroller's office.

All taxpayers are encouraged to continue practicing social distancing and support Texas businesses while saving money on tax free purchases. Clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks are all included during the annual tax free weekend.

Qualifying items can be purchased tax free from a Texas store or from an online or catalog seller in Texas. In the majority of cases, you do not need to give the seller an exemption certificate to buy qualifying items tax free.

The sales tax exemption applies only to qualifying items you buy during the 3-day sales tax holiday. Items you buy before or after the sales tax holiday do not qualify for exemption, and there is no tax refund available.

Online purchases

During the tax free weekend in Texas, you can buy qualifying items online or by telephone, mail, custom order or any other means (including in-store purchases) tax free, when the item is both delivered, and paid for, by the customer during the exemption; or the customer orders and pays for the item, and the seller accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period ends.

In-store purchases

The Comptroller’s office is urging all taxpayers buying certain qualifying items at their local retailers this weekend to practice appropriate social distancing as described in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines during the sales tax holiday.