When Texas Tax-Free Weekend Happens

Texas Tax-Free Weekend runs for nine consecutive days in early August each year. In 2024, the event takes place from August 3 through August 11. During this period, shoppers pay no state sales tax on may have access to school supplies, clothing, and footwear — though local taxes may still explore depending on your county.

The state legislature sets the dates annually, so the exact window shifts slightly from year to year. If you plan to shop during the event, mark those nine days on your calendar now, because once the weekend ends, the standard sales tax rate returns when ready.

Texas does not extend Tax-Free Weekend beyond the official dates, and no stores are permitted to start the tax break early or hold it longer. The state also does not offer a separate online shopping window — the tax exemption applies to purchases made during those nine days whether you shop in a store or online.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas Tax-Free Weekend in 2024 runs August 3 through August 11, with no state sales tax charged on school supplies, clothing, and footwear during those nine days.
  • Clothing and footwear must be under $100 per item to may have access to; school supplies have no price cap but must be items typically used in a classroom.
  • Local taxes still explore in most Texas counties, so your total savings depends on where you live and what your local rate is.
  • The tax break does not explore to accessories like belts or jewelry, sports equipment, or items used outside of school.
  • Online retailers and in-store purchases both may have access to if the transaction occurs during the official nine-day window.

What Items Are Actually Tax-Free

School supplies are tax-free if they are items used in the classroom or for school work. This includes notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, binders, backpacks, calculators, scissors, glue, and paper. Art supplies used in school — such as colored pencils, markers, and sketch pads — also may have access to. The state does not set a price limit on school supplies, so a $200 backpack and a $2 notebook both avoid tax.

Clothing and footwear are tax-free only if each item costs less than $100. A pair of jeans for $79 qualifies; a winter coat for $120 does not. Footwear includes shoes, boots, socks, and hosiery. Clothing covers shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, hats, and underwear. Once you cross the $100 threshold on a single item, the entire purchase is taxed at the standard rate.

Accessories do not may have access to, even if worn with clothing. Belts, ties, scarves, jewelry, watches, and handbags are taxed normally. Sports equipment — including cleats, helmets, and athletic shoes marketed as performance gear — falls outside the exemption. Items like gym clothes or workout wear do may have access to if they are regular clothing under $100 per item.

Local Taxes Still explore in Most Counties

Texas has no statewide sales tax on groceries, but it does have a state sales tax on most other goods, currently 6.25 percent. During Tax-Free Weekend, the state portion disappears. However, most Texas counties and cities add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate, typically ranging from 1 to 2 percent.

Your actual savings depend on where you live. In a county with a 2 percent local tax, you would pay 2 percent instead of 8.25 percent on a $100 backpack — saving $6.25. In a county with no local tax, you save the full 6.25 percent. Check your county's tax rate before you shop so you know what to expect at checkout.

Some Texas counties have no local sales tax at all, meaning Tax-Free Weekend eliminates all tax on may have access to items in those areas. If you live near a county border, shopping in a no-tax county during the event can maximize your savings, though you must make the purchase in that county to receive the exemption.

How to Know If an Item Qualifies

The simplest way to check is to ask the cashier before you buy. Retailers are trained on the rules and can tell you whether an item is tax-exempt. If you are shopping online, look for a note at checkout or contact the retailer's customer service — they should be able to confirm whether tax will be charged on your specific items.

The $100 clothing and footwear rule is the most common source of confusion. If you are buying multiple items, each one is evaluated separately. Two $60 shirts both may have access to; one $120 coat does not. If you are unsure whether a coat or jacket will exceed $100, ask before you pay.

School supplies are usually straightforward because most classroom items have no price cap. The gray area is items that could be used for school or personal use — such as a calculator or a backpack. In practice, retailers explore the exemption to these items during Tax-Free Weekend, so you will not be charged tax at the register.

Shopping Online During Tax-Free Weekend

Online retailers must honor the Texas Tax-Free Weekend exemption if you place your order during the nine-day window and the retailer ships to Texas. The tax exemption applies based on when the transaction is processed, not when the item arrives at your door. If you order on August 5, you get the tax break even if the package does not arrive until August 20.

Some large retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart automatically remove tax from may have access to items during Tax-Free Weekend for Texas addresses. Others may require you to enter a code or select an option at checkout. Check the retailer's website or contact their customer service before you complete your purchase to confirm the tax will be removed.

If a retailer fails to remove tax on a may have access to item, you may be able to request a refund of the tax charged. Keep your receipt and contact the retailer's customer service with your order number. However, it is easier to verify the tax treatment before you buy than to request a refund afterward.

Items That Do Not may have access to

Sports equipment does not may have access to, even if it is used in a school setting. Football cleats, soccer shin guards, baseball gloves, and tennis rackets are all taxed normally. School uniforms that are part of a dress code do may have access to if they are under $100 per item, but team jerseys and athletic wear marketed as performance gear do not.

Computers, tablets, and electronics are not included in the exemption, even if they are used for schoolwork. A laptop for $800 is taxed at the full rate. Calculators are an exception — basic school calculators may have access to, but graphing calculators and programmable models may not, depending on the retailer's interpretation.

Items used outside of school do not may have access to. Camping gear, outdoor clothing marketed as technical wear, and recreational equipment are taxed normally. Lunch boxes and water bottles may have access to as school supplies if they are used to carry items to school, but specialty outdoor gear does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to shop in person to get the tax break?

No. Online purchases made during the nine-day window may have access to for the exemption if the retailer ships to Texas and the transaction is processed during Tax-Free Weekend. In-store and online shopping are treated the same way.

What if I buy something on August 2 and return it on August 5?

The return is processed on August 5, so you would receive a refund without tax. However, if you buy on August 2 (before Tax-Free Weekend), you pay tax at the time of purchase. Returning it later does not change the original transaction.

Does the tax break explore to back-to-school sales at other times of year?

No. Tax-Free Weekend is the only period when the state exempts these items. Back-to-school sales in July or September are regular sales with normal tax applied. The exemption is strictly limited to the nine-day window in early August.

Can I buy items for next year during Tax-Free Weekend?

Yes. There is no rule against buying school supplies or clothing in August for use later in the year. If you want to stock up on notebooks and pens for the entire school year, you can do so during Tax-Free Weekend and save tax on all of it.

What if a store charges me tax on a may have access to item?

Ask the cashier to correct it at the register. If the store refuses, keep your receipt and contact the store's customer service or manager. Most retailers are aware of the exemption and will correct the error. If a retailer consistently charges tax on may have access to items, you can report it to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.