Texas Tax-Free Weekend runs in early August each year

Texas Tax-Free Weekend happens once per year in early August. The exact dates shift slightly year to year, but it always falls during the first full weekend in August. During this period, you pay no state sales tax on certain clothing, footwear, school supplies, and computers when you buy them in Texas.

The state does not charge sales tax during these dates, but local taxes may still apply depending on your city or county. The program is run by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and participating retailers are not required to advertise that they take part — most do, but you should confirm with a store before assuming they will honor the tax exemption.

Key Takeaways

  • Tax-Free Weekend occurs during the first full weekend in August each year, typically running Friday through Sunday.
  • You can buy clothing, footwear, school supplies, and computers tax-free, but only items under specific price caps may have access to.
  • Local taxes still apply in most Texas cities and counties, so your total savings depends on where you shop.
  • Not all retailers participate, and online purchases may not may have access to depending on the seller's location and policies.

What items are tax-free and what price limits apply

Clothing and footwear are tax-free if each item costs less than $100. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, socks, belts, and hats. Items over $100 are taxed normally. Accessories like jewelry, watches, and handbags do not may have access to, even if they cost under $100.

School supplies are tax-free if each item costs less than $50. This covers notebooks, pens, pencils, paper, folders, backpacks, and similar items used for school. Art supplies and sports equipment do not may have access to. Computers and computer peripherals are tax-free if the computer costs less than $1,500 and peripherals cost less than $500 each. Tablets, printers, monitors, keyboards, and mice all count as peripherals.

Items that do not may have access to include food, medicine, cosmetics, office furniture, and anything used for business purposes. Clothing for animals and protective gear like hard hats or safety vests are also taxed normally.

How local taxes affect your actual savings

While Texas does not charge state sales tax during Tax-Free Weekend, most cities and counties add their own local sales taxes. These local rates range from about 1% to 2.25% depending on where you live. This means your actual savings will be less than the full state rate, which is 6.25%.

For example, if you buy a $50 shirt in a city with a 2% local tax, you pay $1 instead of $4.13 (the combined state and local rate). The state tax is waived, but the local tax remains. Some Texas counties have no local sales tax at all, so residents there see the full 6.25% savings on may have access to items.

Online purchases and mail orders during Tax-Free Weekend

Online purchases may or may not be tax-free depending on where the seller is located and how they handle Texas sales tax. If you order from a retailer based in Texas, the tax exemption usually applies. If you order from out of state, the seller may not recognize the exemption, and you could be charged tax anyway.

The safest approach is to shop in person at Texas retailers during the weekend. If you order online, check the retailer's website or contact their customer service before checkout to confirm whether they will apply the Tax-Free Weekend exemption to your order. Some large retailers do honor it for online orders placed during the dates, but policies vary.

Stores that participate and how to confirm

Most major retailers in Texas participate in Tax-Free Weekend, including department stores, clothing chains, office supply stores, and electronics retailers. However, participation is voluntary, and not every store takes part. Small local shops, boutiques, and specialty stores may or may not honor the exemption.

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts does not publish a master list of participating stores. Instead, call or visit the store's website before you shop to ask whether they will waive tax on may have access to items during Tax-Free Weekend. Many retailers post information about the event on their websites or in-store signage as the dates approach.

What to bring and how to make the purchase

You do not need a special permit, coupon, or ID to buy items tax-free during Tax-Free Weekend. Simply bring the items to the register during the designated dates. The cashier should automatically remove the state sales tax from may have access to purchases. If they do not, point out that the item qualifies and ask them to adjust the total.

Keep your receipt. If you notice you were charged tax on a may have access to item, you can contact the store to request a refund. Most retailers will process this without issue if you return within a reasonable time with your receipt and the item.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the exact dates for this year's Tax-Free Weekend?

Tax-Free Weekend always falls during the first full weekend in August. Check the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website closer to August to confirm the specific dates for the current year, as they shift slightly depending on the calendar.

Can I return items bought during Tax-Free Weekend and get the tax refund?

If you return an item within the store's normal return window, you receive a refund for what you paid — which was the tax-free price. You do not get an additional tax refund because no tax was charged at purchase.

Do I have to pay tax on items that cost exactly $100 or $50?

Items priced at exactly $100 (clothing) or $50 (school supplies) are tax-free. The exemption applies to items under those amounts, meaning $99.99 qualifies but $100.01 does not. Check the price tag carefully at checkout.

What if I buy something and the store charges me tax by mistake?

Return to the store with your receipt and the item within a few days. Explain that it qualifies for Tax-Free Weekend and ask for a refund of the tax charged. Most retailers will process this without requiring you to return the item if the purchase is recent.

Are used or secondhand items tax-free during Tax-Free Weekend?

Tax-Free Weekend applies to new items sold by retailers. Used clothing or school supplies sold by thrift stores, consignment shops, or private sellers are typically not covered by the state exemption, though local rules may vary.