No Tax, No Worries: What’s Free (and What Isn’t) During Texas’s Tax-Free Weekend

A Break for Back-to-School Budgets

Texas's highly anticipated Tax-Free Weekend kicks off this Friday, August 8, 2025, and continues until midnight on Sunday, August 10. For three days, shoppers across the state can take advantage of big savings on back-to-school essentials as certain items are exempt from state and local sales taxes.Texas ComptrollerStatesman

What Qualifies for Tax Relief

During the holiday, a broad range of everyday items are exempt from sales tax—provided each item is priced under $100, including any shipping, handling, or delivery charges.Texas ComptrollerHouston Chronicle

Your purchases will be tax-free if they include:

• Clothing and footwear — everything from jeans and T-shirts to school uniforms, pajamas, costumes, and even certain employee uniforms such as those for nurses or chefs.NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

• Backpacks and lunch bags — including wheeled and messenger-style backpacks. You’re generally limited to ten per transaction.KiplingerTexas Comptroller

• School supplies — think pens, notebooks, calculators, art supplies, and writing tablets.San Antonio Express-NewsTexas Comptroller

• Baby essentials like diapers — yes, diapers are exempt as long as they're under $100 per item.MySAMidland Reporter-Telegram

What Remains Taxed

Despite generous exemptions, several common items still qualify as taxable:

• Jewelry, purses, wallets, briefcases, and luggage

• Sports-specific gear — such as football pads, cleats, and helmets

• Protective or industrial clothing — and attire designed for exclusive use in sports or professional settingsTexas ComptrollerBeaumont Enterprise

Timing Is Everything—Especially for Online Orders

The tax exemption applies strictly to when the sale is completed—not when the item arrives. If you pay for a qualifying item before midnight on August 10, you're covered—even if delivery happens later.Texas ComptrollerHouston Chronicle

However, if a payment attempt fails before the deadline and is only processed afterward, the item becomes taxable. And remember: shipping, handling, and related fees are part of the total—push that above $100, and the exemption disappears.MySAFOX 26 Houston

Maximizing Your Savings

• Review retailer lists in advance—many stores like H-E-B, Walmart, and Target highlight qualifying items.Statesman+1

• Check your cart total, including extras like delivery fees, and split purchases if needed.

• If sales tax was incorrectly charged, you can ask the seller for a refund or use Form 00-985 to submit a claim directly with the Comptroller’s Office.StatesmanMidland Reporter-Telegram

Final Take

With school starting soon and costs surging—Houston families now spending an average of $808 per student—this tax holiday offers real relief.Axios

Just remember: the savings window is limited, the rules are precise, and a little planning goes a long way in turning this weekend into smart—and tax-free—shopping.