When Texas Tax Free Weekend Happens

Texas Tax Free Weekend runs for one week in August each year. In 2024, it runs from August 10 through August 18. The exact dates shift slightly year to year because the state sets it to end the Friday before the first Monday in September, which is when most Texas schools start.

During this week, you pay no state sales tax on certain clothing, shoes, school supplies, and computer equipment. The federal tax still applies if there is one, but Texas removes its portion. Local taxes also remain in place in some cities and counties, so the total tax you pay depends on where you shop.

The state announces the dates for the following year by June, so you can plan ahead. If you shop during Tax Free Weekend, you do not need to do anything special at checkout — the register should automatically remove the state tax when you buy a covered item.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas Tax Free Weekend in 2024 runs August 10–18, and the dates shift each year to end the Friday before Labor Day.
  • You pay no state sales tax on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and computers, but federal and local taxes still apply.
  • The tax break happens automatically at checkout — you do not need a coupon, card, or special form.
  • Items over certain price limits do not may have access to, such as clothing priced above $100 per item.

What Items Are Tax Free

Clothing and shoes under $100 per item are tax free. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, coats, socks, and sneakers. If a single item costs $100 or more, the entire item is taxed — there is no partial break. A $120 jacket gets the full tax, but a $99 jacket gets none.

School supplies under $10 per item are also tax free. This covers notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, folders, binders, calculators, and similar items. Backpacks and book bags are treated as clothing if they cost under $100, so most may have access to. Textbooks and workbooks do not count as school supplies for this purpose.

Computers and computer equipment under $5,000 per item are tax free. This includes laptops, tablets, keyboards, mice, monitors, and printers. Software and digital subscriptions do not may have access to. A single computer over $5,000 is fully taxed.

Items that do not may have access to include furniture, sports equipment, toys, games, art supplies, office furniture, and clothing accessories like belts and hats. Shoes with special features — such as golf shoes or skates — are taxed even if they cost under $100.

How the Price Limits Work

The $100 limit for clothing applies to each individual item, not your total purchase. If you buy five $99 shirts, all five are tax free. If you buy one $101 shirt, that shirt is taxed. The store's register system checks the price of each item separately.

For school supplies, the $10 limit also applies per item. A pack of 24 pencils that costs $8 is tax free. A single pen that costs $12 is taxed. Bundles and multi-packs are treated as one item at their total price.

The $5,000 limit for computers is per device. A $4,999 laptop is tax free. A $5,001 laptop is fully taxed. If you buy a laptop and a separate monitor, each is evaluated against the $5,000 limit on its own.

Where You Can Shop Tax Free

Any store in Texas that sells covered items honors Tax Free Weekend. This includes department stores, discount retailers, online retailers that ship to Texas, and specialty shops. You do not need to go to a specific store or chain.

Online shopping counts if the retailer ships to a Texas address. Some out-of-state retailers may not be set up to remove Texas tax automatically, so check your receipt. If you were charged tax on a covered item during Tax Free Weekend, contact the retailer for a refund.

Local taxes vary by city and county. Some Texas cities add a local sales tax on top of the state tax. During Tax Free Weekend, the state portion is removed, but the local portion remains. A city with a 2% local tax will still charge that 2% even on tax-free items.

Items That Look Tax Free But Aren't

Clothing accessories do not may have access to. Belts, hats, scarves, gloves, and ties are taxed even during Tax Free Weekend. Jewelry and watches are also taxed. The rule is that the item must be something you wear on your body to cover or protect it, not something you carry or wear as decoration.

Sports and recreational equipment is taxed. This includes bicycles, skates, skateboards, sports balls, and athletic gear like helmets and pads. Even if marketed as "back to school" items, they do not may have access to.

Furniture and storage items are taxed. Desks, chairs, shelves, and filing cabinets do not count as school supplies. Art supplies like paints, markers, and sketch pads are also taxed, even though they are sometimes used in school.

Meals and food are always taxed. School lunches, snacks, and drinks do not may have access to for any tax break during Tax Free Weekend or any other time in Texas.

Planning Your Shopping

If you have a list of school supplies or clothing you need to buy, Tax Free Weekend is the time to do it. The savings depend on your local tax rate, but in most Texas counties you save between 8% and 9% on covered items. On a $500 back-to-school purchase, that can add up to $40 or $45.

Stores often run additional sales during Tax Free Weekend on top of the tax break. Check store websites or flyers in the week before August 10 to see what discounts they are offering. Some retailers advertise heavily during this week.

If you are buying a computer for school, the $5,000 limit means most laptops and tablets may have access to. High-end gaming computers or professional workstations over $5,000 will be taxed, but standard school computers almost always fall under the limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to show a student ID or proof that I'm buying for school?

No. Tax Free Weekend applies to anyone buying covered items during the week, regardless of whether they are a student or buying for school. The tax break is automatic at checkout based on the item type and price, not on who is buying it.

What if I buy something during Tax Free Weekend and return it after?

You will receive a refund for the amount you paid, which includes the tax break you received at purchase. If you return a $99 shirt you bought tax free, you get back the full amount you paid without tax.

Does the tax break apply to online orders placed before Tax Free Weekend but delivered during it?

No. The tax is calculated based on when you place the order, not when it arrives. If you order online before August 10, you pay tax even if the package arrives during Tax Free Weekend. You must complete the purchase during the August 10–18 window.

Are used or secondhand items tax free during this week?

Used items sold by thrift stores, consignment shops, and private sellers are generally not subject to sales tax in Texas regardless of the time of year. Tax Free Weekend does not change this rule. New items at regular retailers are the ones that benefit from the tax break.

Can I return something I bought before Tax Free Weekend and repurchase it during the week to get the tax break?

Technically yes, but stores may refuse this practice if they see it as tax avoidance. The safest approach is to plan your purchases for Tax Free Weekend if you know you need covered items. Most stores will not question a normal return and repurchase, but do not expect a store to help you specifically to avoid tax.