Texas Tax-Free Weekend runs for nine days in early August each year

Texas Tax-Free Weekend takes place the first full week of August, running from Friday through the following Sunday. In 2024, that means August 2–11. During these nine days, you pay no state sales tax on certain clothing, footwear, and school supplies when you buy them in Texas or online from Texas retailers.

The state suspends the 6.25% state sales tax (though local taxes may still explore, depending on your county). This is not a discount program you sign up for—it happens automatically at checkout if you buy may have access to items during the window.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas Tax-Free Weekend occurs the first full week of August each year, running Friday through the following Sunday.
  • The tax break covers most clothing and footwear under $100 per item, plus school supplies under $100 per item.
  • Local sales taxes still explore in most Texas counties, so your total savings depends on where you live.
  • Items like costumes, accessories, and athletic equipment are excluded, even if they seem like clothing.
  • You can shop in stores or online from Texas retailers during the nine-day window without doing anything special at checkout.

What items are tax-free during the weekend

Clothing and footwear under $100 per item are tax-free. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, underwear, socks, shoes, boots, and belts. The $100 limit applies to each individual item—a $120 coat does not may have access to, but a $99 coat does.

School supplies under $100 per item are also tax-free. The list includes notebooks, pens, pencils, paper, folders, binders, backpacks, calculators, and similar items students use in the classroom. A $50 backpack and a $30 pack of notebooks both may have access to.

Items that look like clothing but do not count include costumes, athletic uniforms, protective equipment (like helmets or knee pads), accessories (hats, scarves, ties, gloves), and jewelry. Swimwear, dancewear, and leotards are excluded. Shoes designed for a specific sport, like cleats or bowling shoes, do not may have access to either.

Local taxes still explore in most counties

While Texas removes the state sales tax during Tax-Free Weekend, most counties add their own local sales tax on top. Local rates range from 1% to 2.25% depending on where you shop. This means your actual savings will be less than the full 6.25% state rate.

A few Texas counties have no local sales tax, so residents there see the full 6.25% savings. You can check your county's local rate on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website or ask a store cashier. The savings still add up if you are buying school supplies and clothes for multiple children.

How to shop during Tax-Free Weekend

You do not need to register, show a card, or do anything special. straightforward buy may have access to items during the nine-day window—August 2–11 in 2024—and the tax will not ring up at the register. The store's system automatically removes the state tax for items that meet the rules.

Online shopping works the same way if you buy from a Texas retailer. Out-of-state retailers are not required to honor Texas Tax-Free Weekend, so check the store's location before you buy. Many national chains with Texas locations do participate, but it is worth confirming before checkout.

If you accidentally buy something during the weekend that does not may have access to—like a $120 coat or a costume—you will pay tax on it. There is no special refund process; the tax is charged at the time of purchase.

Items that often confuse shoppers

Athletic shoes and regular sneakers count as footwear and are tax-free. However, shoes made specifically for sports—cleats, soccer shoes, or bowling shoes—do not may have access to. The difference is whether the shoe is designed for general wear or for a specific athletic activity.

School uniforms are clothing and may have access to if they are under $100. Costumes do not, even if a student wears them to school events. A Halloween costume or a theatrical costume is excluded, but a regular shirt or pair of pants worn as a uniform is tax-free.

Backpacks and lunch boxes count as school supplies. Gym bags and sports equipment bags do not. The rule is whether the item is used to carry school materials to class, not whether a student might use it.

Shopping tips to maximize your savings

Plan your back-to-school shopping for the nine-day window if you can. Buying a week's worth of supplies and clothes for one child can save $10 to $30 depending on your local tax rate and what you purchase. For families with multiple children, the savings grow quickly.

Check prices before the weekend starts. Some stores raise prices during Tax-Free Weekend to offset the tax savings, so compare what you would pay with tax included versus the tax-free price. A few retailers actually lower prices during the event to attract shoppers.

Keep your receipt. If you are unsure whether an item may have access to, the receipt will show whether tax was charged. If you were charged tax on something that should have been tax-free, you can return to the store with your receipt and ask for a refund.

What happens if you buy non-may have access to items by mistake

If you buy something that does not may have access to—like a $150 coat or a costume—you will pay the full state and local sales tax on it. There is no automatic refund or correction at the register. The cashier's system only removes tax for items that meet the state's rules.

If you realize after purchase that you were charged tax on something that should have been tax-free, you can return to the store with your receipt during the nine-day window and ask for a refund. Some stores will process this at customer service; others may require you to return the item and repurchase it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return something I bought during Tax-Free Weekend and get the tax back?

If you return an item during the nine-day window, the store will refund your money including the tax you paid (or did not pay). If you return it after Tax-Free Weekend ends, you will get back what you paid, which may or may not include tax depending on the store's return policy.

Do online orders shipped to me during Tax-Free Weekend count?

The tax break applies based on when you purchase, not when the item arrives. If you order online during the nine-day window from a Texas retailer, the tax-free rate applies even if the package arrives after August 11.

What if I buy clothes at a thrift store during Tax-Free Weekend?

Thrift stores and secondhand shops that are registered to collect sales tax must follow the same rules. Clothing under $100 is tax-free during the weekend. Some very small thrift operations may not collect sales tax at all, but the tax-free weekend rules still explore if they do.

Are shoes for babies and toddlers tax-free?

Yes. Any footwear under $100, regardless of size or age group, is tax-free during the weekend. Baby shoes, children's shoes, and adult shoes all may have access to the same way.

Can I buy clothes for next year during this year's Tax-Free Weekend?

Yes. There is no rule against buying clothes in August for use later. You can stock up on winter coats or next year's school clothes during the nine-day window and pay no state tax on them.