It’s almost time again!
If you’re reading this, you’re probably gearing up for back-to-school season—or maybe just looking for an excuse to shop without the guilt of paying sales tax. Either way, I’ve got some great news: Texas Tax-Free Weekend 2025 is just around the corner.
Mark your calendar: August 8 through August 10. That’s a Friday through Sunday, giving you a full weekend to shop for qualifying items without paying state or local sales tax. If you play it smart, you can knock off a big chunk of your back-to-school checklist and save some real cash.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know—dates, rules, and a full breakdown of what’s tax-free (and what’s not). No jargon. Just a straight-up guide, as if we were talking over a cup of coffee.
Let’s get started: When is Texas’s tax-free weekend?
Write this down—or better yet, set a phone reminder:
August 8 to August 10, 2025
- Starts: 12:01 a.m. Friday
- Ends: 11:59 p.m. Sunday
You’ll only get the tax break if your purchase is made during this window. No, you can’t ask the cashier for a retroactive deal if you went shopping on Thursday. The Texas Comptroller’s rules are strict: No early birds, no extensions.
What’s the tax-free limit?
The magic number this year is $100. If an item costs $100 or less, it qualifies.
But—here’s the catch—you’ve got to count the full cost, including things like:
- Delivery fees
- Shipping and handling
- Transportation costs
So, if you order a $95 backpack online but there’s a $10 shipping charge, your total is $105. Sadly, that means you’re taxed on the whole thing.
However, if shipping is charged per item and the item qualifies, then the shipping fee is also tax-free. If it’s a flat-rate delivery per package, it can be assigned to just one item in the package (so be smart about how you split your order!).
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So, what can you buy tax-free?
Let’s break this down into clear categories. Here’s what qualifies, as long as it’s under $100 per item.
Clothing & footwear
This is the big one. Anything that your kid (or you) wears to school? It’s most likely on the list.
Tax-free examples:
- T-shirts, jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses
- School uniforms
- Sweaters and sweatshirts
- Sneakers, sandals, boots (non-cleated)
But don’t go too wild. Not everything is exempt.
Not tax-free:
- Jewelry
- Handbags
- Sports gear (like football cleats or pads)
- Watches and wallets
If it’s more for style or sports than daily wear, expect to pay sales tax.
Backpacks
Good news here—backpacks are covered, up to $100.
That includes:
- Standard school backpacks
- Rolling backpacks
- Messenger bags (used by students)
Just don’t throw it in a briefcase or a suitcase and expect a discount. This is a back-to-school holiday, not a vacation prep sale.
School supplies
Anything you’d find in a typical classroom supply list is probably tax-free.
Covered items:
- Pens, pencils, erasers
- Notebooks and paper
- Binders and folders
- Glue, scissors, crayons, markers
- Rulers, calculators, and lunch boxes
Tip: Buy in bulk carefully. If you’re buying a multipack, each item inside must qualify separately under $100.
Can I shop online and still avoid tax?
Absolutely—as long as you hit “Buy” between August 8–10.
Let’s say you order school supplies online at 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 10—you’re in the clear. The sale is considered tax-free even if your stuff ships next week.
But if your credit card is declined on Sunday night, and the payment goes through on Monday, you lose the tax exemption. Timing matters. Make sure the transaction is complete before 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.
Oops! Did I pay tax anyway? Here’s what to do
It happens. Maybe the cashier forgot. Maybe the system charges tax anyway. Don’t worry—you’ve got options.
You can:
- Ask the seller directly for a refund. Most stores will happily sort it out.
- If the seller can’t or won’t, ask them for a form called “Assignment to Right to Refund” (Form 00-985).
- You can then file a refund claim with the Texas Comptroller’s office yourself.
It’s not the fastest fix, but it’s better than losing out on your savings.
Supporting local? Or national? Either works.
You can shop tax-free in-store or online—as long as the retailer is doing business in Texas. That includes:
- Texas-based chains and mom-and-pop shops
- Online retailers like Amazon or Walmart (as long as they collect Texas sales tax)
So whether you’re a mall person or a sofa surfer, you’re good to go.
Quick recap: The tax-free weekend rules
Let’s simplify everything into a mini checklist just for you:
Dates: August 8–10, 2025
Limit: $100 per qualifying item (including delivery)
What qualifies: Clothes, backpacks, school supplies
What doesn’t: Jewelry, watches, sports gear
In-store or online: Both work, if purchased during the tax-free window
Outside the window: No exemptions, no refunds (unless it was a mistake)
Final tip: Plan like a pro
Here’s my honest advice: plan your shopping list. Stores become crowded, and items quickly run out. If you’re shopping for kids, especially more than one, the weekend is your chance to stock up without draining your bank account.
A few more pro tips:
- Shop early Friday morning to beat the crowd
- Price-check online before heading out
- Keep receipts in case of issues
- Don’t forget about online deals—you can avoid the crowds entirely
That’s a wrap—Now go save!
Texas Tax-Free Weekend isn’t just a wonderful excuse to buy new jeans or load up on pens—it’s also a way to make back-to-school shopping a little less painful.
So now that you’ve got the scoop, it’s your move. Make a list, grab a cart (or your laptop), and take full advantage of the sales tax holiday from August 8 to August 10.
Every dollar you save is a dollar that stays in your pocket—and trust me, with kids going back to school, you’ll need every one. Happy shopping, friend!
