SUGAR LAND, Texas – The first day of school is just around the corner, and while many students may not be ready to head back to class, plenty of parents are looking forward to the return to the classroom — as well as the chance to save money while shopping for school essentials.
The State of Texas will host its annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday this Friday through Sunday. The three-day stretch will provide shoppers the opportunity to purchase qualifying school-related items without paying state or local sales tax.
There is one important catch to note, according to the Texas Comptroller’s office, eligible items must be priced at less than $100 each. The Comptroller’s office also maintains a detailed list of which products qualify and which do not, and some of the rules may surprise you.
To put those tax-free rules to the test, 2 Helps You’s Mario Diaz went in search of kids to quiz them on which items were exempt or taxable. One problem the feels like temperature was near 100-degrees in Sugar Land on Tuesday so he recruited one of his son’s closest friends and incoming high school freshman, Harrison Downey, for a quick quiz.
Some of the results weren’t as obvious as you might think.
For example:
- A golf shirt qualifies for the tax exemption, but golf shoes do not.
- A necktie is tax exempt, while sports helmets are taxable.
- Baseball pants do not qualify for the exemption, but baseball jerseys do.
Even Harrison admitted some of the answers caught him off guard.
As for perhaps the most pivotal eligible purchase that many families will capitalize on, baby clothes.
Before heading to the checkout line, it’s worth reviewing the state’s complete list of eligible and non-eligible items to make sure you’re getting the tax savings you expect.