HOUSTON -- The 11th annual Texas sales tax holiday offers even more savings for families who are facing tough economic times, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The state sales tax holiday, when shoppers get a break from state and local sales tax on some items, began on Friday at 12:01 a.m. and ends on Sunday at midnight.

Effective this year, the sales tax break includes most school supplies priced at less than $100 for use by elementary and secondary school students.

The list includes binders, book bags, lunch boxes, calculators, notebooks, pens, pencils, glue and more. Backpacks are also exempt.

As in past years, most clothing and footwear priced under $100 are exempt, which means shoppers save $8 for every $100 they spend.

The period designated for the sales tax holiday was changed from the first weekend in August to the third weekend in August by House Bill 3319, which passed in 2007. The legislature changed the date so that the holiday would be closer to the start of the school year.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said families will save an estimated $65.7 million over the weekend.

"Most families are on tight budgets and it can be a real challenge to buy kids the clothes and supplies they need for a new school year," Combs said. "To help out, the legislature has added many school supplies to the list of tax-free items during the sales tax holiday. The tax break on school supplies alone will save families nearly $9 million in state and local sales taxes this year."

For parents, the annual event can really help during back-to-school shopping, since many stores offer big discounts on top of the tax break.

Many stores open early and have extended hours to lure in shoppers.

Baybrook Mall - Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
First Colony Mall - Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Houston Premium Outlets - Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Katy Mills Mall - Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kohl's Stores - Friday, Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Memorial City Mall - Friday, Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Woodlands Mall - Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Willowbrook Mall - Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Here are some of the guidelines for tax-free weekend.

Customers will receive the break on individual items, regardless of the total amount they buy. For example, sales tax is not due if a customer buys six shirts each priced at $99 each. But full tax is due on a shirt sold for $100.
Clothing and footwear used primarily for athletic activities or for protective wear are not eligible for the exemption. For example, customers buying golf cleats or football pads must pay sales tax. Athletic wear that is also used for other non-athletic activities qualify for the tax exemption. For example, tennis shoes, baseball caps and jogging suits are often worn during everyday activities and will be tax-free.
Accessories such as jewelry and watches are excluded and will be taxed, as well as items that are carried rather than worn, including handbags, briefcases and wallets.

For more information, call the tax-free hot line at (800) 252-5555 or visit the State Comptroller's Web site.