Local News

Texas Consumers Gearing up for Annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

By  | 
Tony Maples Photography

 

Thousands of shoppers are preparing and comparing prices as they plan for the pending three-day Texas sales tax holiday happening August 11-13 this year. School supplies, new clothes and shoes, and often times some more expensive purchases that would otherwise carry a state tax will be purchased to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars this coming weekend.

Texas Consumers Gearing up for Annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

Photo: Wikimedia

An annual amnesty from the additional charge, which is levied on such things as clothing, shoes, and much more, will be in effect for those purchased both in store and online starting on Friday, August 11 and running through Sunday, August 13. One of the most inclusive in America, the Texas sales tax reprieve has our state lawmakers proposing to expand it even further, while other states attempt to scale back or cancel their similar offerings, debating as to whether the economic benefit outweighs the substantial tax losses.

Texas Consumers Gearing up for Annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

Photo: Pixabay

In the state of Texas, the back-to-school tax break is the largest of three such holidays which are offered throughout the year, exempting hurricane supplies in April and some energy-efficient appliances in May. Anticipated to save consumers approximately $87 million in local and state taxes, this upcoming sales tax holiday appears to generate the most excitement with the majority of footwear and clothing under $100 exempt in addition to standard school shopping, which provides adults with a slight reprieve for themselves as well. Stores have long promoted the sales tax break as shopping inducements, not only saving the consumer money but also and boosting retail sales. And, the Texas Retailers Association has supported an expansion to the stay of taxes in particular for the back-to-school holiday. In the meantime, the average Texas consumer is readying their lists and checking them twice…just like it’s Christmas! Kids, on the other hand, are much less enthused. Will you be taking advantage of the sales tax holiday this month?

References:

Texas Comptroller

NBC DFW