With the back-to-school season getting closer by the day, many parents across Houston will be preparing to get their kids ready for another year hitting the books.
Texas shoppers can save sales tax on many back-to-school items during the state’s annual sales tax holiday, which runs from Friday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
RELATED: School supplies for 2025-2026 school year projected to be more expensive
The tax-free period lasts from 12:01 a.m. to midnight each day. Eligible items must be priced under $100 each to qualify for the tax exemption.
Tax-free items
Tax-free items include clothing, footwear, school supplies, backpacks, and face masks.
Clothing and footwear qualify if they are general-use items such as shirts, jeans, boots (including cowboy boots, because it’s Texas after all) and athletic socks. Fabric or disposable face masks also qualify.
School supplies like notebooks, pens, calculators, and art supplies are included. Backpacks intended for student use qualify up to $100 per item. Non-student backpacks, such as duffel bags or laptop bags, do not qualify.
Ineligible items
Excluded from the tax holiday are any items priced at $100 or more, protective or special-purpose clothing like football pads or golf cleats, and accessories including jewelry, handbags, purses, briefcases, wallets, watches, and luggage.
Computer hardware, software, and textbooks are also excluded, as are items used to make or repair clothing such as fabric, buttons, and thread.
Tips before buying
There is no limit on the number of qualifying items shoppers can buy, as long as each item is priced under $100.
For online orders, the total cost including shipping must remain under $100 for the purchase to qualify.
To ensure tax-free status, purchases must be paid for and ordered during the holiday period. The exemption applies to both in-store and online orders shipped or paid for during the sales tax holiday.