Most Texans won’t hear the back-to-school bell for another month, but it’s never too early to take advantage of the opportunity to save money on everything from book bags to ballpoint pens.”

Glenn Hegar, Texas state comptroller

The state comptroller’s office estimates that shoppers will save $112 million in state and local sales tax over the upcoming sales tax holiday, set for Friday-Sunday.

State law exempts sales tax on qualified items priced below $100. These items include clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks. Shoppers can save about $8 on every $100 they spend, according to the comptroller’s office.

For Katy-area families with students preparing to return to school, the savings will surely be helpful. Royal ISD students return to school Aug. 10. Katy ISD students return Aug. 11.

“Most Texans won’t hear the back-to-school bell for another month, but it’s never too early to take advantage of the opportunity to save money on everything from book bags to ballpoint pens,” Hegar said. “With inflation driving prices higher on just about everything, this sales tax holiday provides Texas families some small relief managing the costs associated with kids heading back to the classroom. As the father of three school-aged children myself, I know how these expenses can add up.”

During the annual sales tax holiday, qualifying items can be purchased tax free online or by telephone, mail, custom order or any other means (including in-store purchases) when either:

• the item is both delivered to, and paid for by, the customer during the exemption period; 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.

The Texas Legislature sets both the dates of the sales tax holiday and the list of tax-exempt items. The sales tax holiday weekend has been an annual event since 1999.

For a complete list of what may be purchased tax-free, see the website TexasTaxHoliday.org.