August 17-19 is Tax Free Weekend! This is the perfect opportunity for parents to purchase school supplies at a great deal! But Tax Free Weekend isn’t limited to just school supplies. Clothing and footwear under $100, backpacks under $100 for elementary and secondary students, and layaway items are all applicable to the conditions of Tax Free Weekend.
Now that you know all about Tax Free Weekend, here are some suggestions to smart shopping strategies:
In general, using common sense is the best way to save even more during tax free week. This means comparing prices at different stores, which you can do online, and also using coupons – in addition to the tax free savings – whenever possible. Make sure you do your homework before spending your hard-earned cash. In addition, don’t make the mistake of buying items that you don’t need just because of the sales tax holiday. After all, the sales tax rate in Texas is 8.25%, so that’s the amount you would be saving by shopping during the tax free weekend. Keep in mind, too, that not all general merchandise items are included in the sales tax holiday. For example, cowboy boots are tax-free, but climbing boot and ski boots are still taxed during Texas’ tax free weekend. In fact, many sporting goods are not included in the sales tax holiday at all in Texas, like cleats, football pads, and protective helmets, so make sure that you read Texas’ Sales Tax Holiday web page before heading out to the mall.