When Texas Tax-Free Weekend Happens

Texas Tax-Free Weekend runs for one week in early August each year. In 2024, it takes place from August 3 through August 9. During this period, you pay no state sales tax on certain clothing, footwear, and school supplies — but only on items under specific price limits.

The state sets the same dates every year so families can plan back-to-school shopping in advance. Mark August 3–9 on your calendar if you shop for school supplies or clothing before the school year starts.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas Tax-Free Weekend occurs the first full week of August (August 3–9 in 2024) and applies only to clothing, footwear, and school supplies under set price limits.
  • Clothing and shoes must cost less than $100 per item to may have access to; school supplies must cost less than $50 per item.
  • Items like sports equipment, costumes, accessories, and most electronics do not may have access to, even during the tax-free period.
  • You can shop in stores or online from retailers that ship to Texas, though some online sellers may not honor the exemption automatically.
  • No registration, coupon, or special form is needed — the tax straightforward does not ring up at checkout if the item qualifies.

What Items Are Tax-Free

Clothing and footwear may have access to if each item costs less than $100. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, socks, underwear, belts, hats, and shoes. A pair of jeans for $79 is tax-free; a coat for $120 is not.

School supplies may have access to if each item costs less than $50. Pens, pencils, notebooks, binders, folders, backpacks, lunch boxes, and calculators all count. A $40 backpack is tax-free; a $60 one is not. Supplies must be for school use — office supplies bought for work do not may have access to.

Items that do not may have access to include sports equipment (cleats, gloves, helmets), costumes, jewelry, watches, handbags, wallets, umbrellas, eyeglasses, and most electronics. Computers and tablets do not may have access to even if used for school. School uniforms count as clothing if they cost under $100 per item.

How the Price Limit Works

The tax exemption applies to each individual item, not to your total purchase. If you buy five shirts at $25 each, all five are tax-free. If you buy one shirt for $105, that shirt is taxed normally because it exceeds the $100 limit for clothing.

The price limit is the item's selling price before tax. If a pair of shoes is marked $99.99, it qualifies. If it is marked $100.01, it does not. Some stores may round or display prices in ways that make this unclear, so check the tag or receipt if you are unsure.

Shopping in Stores vs. Online

In-store shopping during Tax-Free Weekend is straightforward: the cashier rings up the may have access to items, and no sales tax appears on your receipt. You do not need a coupon, form, or ID.

Online shopping is more complicated. Some major retailers automatically remove Texas sales tax from may have access to items during the weekend if you ship to a Texas address. Others do not. Before you check out, look for a note about tax-free weekend or contact the retailer's customer service to confirm they honor it. If you are unsure, shopping in a physical store removes the guesswork.

What Happens at the Register

When you check out with may have access to items, the cashier scans them normally. The register is programmed to recognize tax-free items during the weekend dates and will not add sales tax to them. You do not have to tell the cashier anything or show proof of purchase intent.

If an item does not may have access to — say, a $120 jacket or a video game — the register will still charge tax on it. Check your receipt after you leave to make sure you were not charged tax on items that should have been exempt. If there is an error, return to the store with your receipt and ask for a refund of the tax.

Items People Often Get Wrong

School uniforms are tax-free if they cost under $100 per item, even if they are only worn at school. However, costumes (including Halloween costumes) are never tax-free, even if a child wears them to school events.

Backpacks and lunch boxes may have access to as school supplies if they cost under $50. A $60 backpack does not may have access to. Shoes may have access to as footwear if they cost under $100, but shoe inserts, laces, and shoe polish do not — those are accessories.

Computers, tablets, and calculators are often bought for school, but only basic calculators used in math class may have access to. Graphing calculators, computers, and tablets do not, regardless of price. Pencil cases, desk organizers, and storage bins count as school supplies if under $50.

Planning Your Shopping

Make a list of what you need before the weekend starts. Clothing and shoes wear out at predictable times, so if your child needs new jeans, sneakers, or a winter coat, Tax-Free Weekend is the right time to buy. School supplies are cheaper to stock up on during this week than at other times of year.

Stores often run their own sales during Tax-Free Weekend on top of the tax exemption, so prices may be lower than usual. Check store websites or flyers the week before to see which retailers are running promotions. Arriving early in the week (August 3–5) is usually less crowded than the final weekend days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy items for school to get the tax exemption?

No. The items must be school-related (clothing, shoes, or school supplies), but you do not have to prove they are for school or that you have a child. You can buy tax-free clothing and shoes for yourself or anyone else during the weekend.

What if I buy something on August 2 or August 10?

Sales tax applies. The exemption is only for purchases made August 3–9. If you buy on August 2, you pay tax. If you buy on August 10, you pay tax. The dates are firm.

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

Yes. If you return an item within the store's return window, the refund should reflect that no tax was charged. If the store charged you tax by mistake, ask for a refund of the tax amount when you return the item.

Do online retailers outside Texas have to honor the exemption?

Only if they ship to Texas and choose to participate. Many major retailers do, but smaller sellers may not. Check the retailer's website or call before you order. If they do not honor it, you will be charged tax at checkout.

Are there any other tax-free shopping periods in Texas?

Texas has one tax-free weekend per year, in early August. There are no other statewide sales tax holidays. Some cities or counties may run local promotions, but the state-wide exemption is only during this one week.