TEXAS (KXAN) — The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will host the state’s annual sales tax holiday Aug. 11-13 in an effort to encourage supporting Texas-based businesses. During that time, customers can make tax-free purchases on many clothing items, footwear, school supplies and backpacks.
With the 2023-24 school year just around the corner, here’s a look at which school supplies items made the sales tax-free cut. Only the items listed that are priced under $100 qualify for the sales tax exemption, per the Texas Comptroller.
Binders
Blackboard chalk
Book bags
Calculators
Cellophane tape
Compasses
Composition books
Crayons
Erasers
Folders: expandable, pocket, plastic and manila types
Glue, paste, paste sticks
Highlighters
Index cards
Index card boxes
Legal pads
Lunch boxes
Markers (including dry erase markers)
Notebooks
Paper: loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, construction paper
Pencil boxes, other school supply boxes
Pencil sharpeners
Pencils
Pens
Protractors
Rulers
Scissors
Writing tablets
Kits*
With kits, the Texas Comptroller said “the taxability depends on the value of exempt or taxable items in it.” There is no restriction on the amount of school supplies included in the kit; however, if the value of the tax-exempt items is higher than the value of the taxable items, the kit is exempt. If the value of the taxable items is higher than the exempt ones, then the kit is taxable.
Student backpacks are also included in the sales tax holiday, so long as they cost less than $100. The exemption to sales-tax-free backpacks are those with wheels and messenger bags.
Per the Texas Comptroller: “You can buy up to 10 backpacks tax free at one time without giving an exemption certificate to the seller.”
The following baggage-related items don’t qualify for sales tax exemptions:
Framed backpacks
Luggage
Briefcases
Athletic, duffle, gym bags
Computer bags
Purses
Here are more details on Texas’ sales tax holiday.
TEXAS (KXAN) — The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will host the state’s annual sales tax holiday Aug. 11-13 in an effort to encourage supporting Texas-based businesses. During that time, customers can make tax-free purchases on many clothing items, footwear, school supplies and backpacks.
With the 2023-24 school year just around the corner, here’s a look at which school supplies items made the sales tax-free cut. Only the items listed that are priced under $100 qualify for the sales tax exemption, per the Texas Comptroller.
Binders
Blackboard chalk
Book bags
Calculators
Cellophane tape
Compasses
Composition books
Crayons
Erasers
Folders: expandable, pocket, plastic and manila types
Glue, paste, paste sticks
Highlighters
Index cards
Index card boxes
Legal pads
Lunch boxes
Markers (including dry erase markers)
Notebooks
Paper: loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, construction paper
Pencil boxes, other school supply boxes
Pencil sharpeners
Pencils
Pens
Protractors
Rulers
Scissors
Writing tablets
Kits*
With kits, the Texas Comptroller said “the taxability depends on the value of exempt or taxable items in it.” There is no restriction on the amount of school supplies included in the kit; however, if the value of the tax-exempt items is higher than the value of the taxable items, the kit is exempt. If the value of the taxable items is higher than the exempt ones, then the kit is taxable.
Student backpacks are also included in the sales tax holiday, so long as they cost less than $100. The exemption to sales-tax-free backpacks are those with wheels and messenger bags.
Per the Texas Comptroller: “You can buy up to 10 backpacks tax free at one time without giving an exemption certificate to the seller.”
The following baggage-related items don’t qualify for sales tax exemptions:
Framed backpacks
Luggage
Briefcases
Athletic, duffle, gym bags
Computer bags
Purses
Here are more details on Texas’ sales tax holiday.