Texas shoppers can score major savings during the annual Texas Sales Tax Holiday. The state exempts sales tax on most back-to-school essentials, helping families keep more money in their pockets before the school bell rings.

Event Dates & The "Under $100" Golden Rule

  • Event Window: Begins Friday, August 7, 2026, and runs through 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

  • Price Cap: Qualifying items must cost less than $100 per individual item to be tax-exempt.

  • No Item Limits: There is no limit on how many eligible items you can purchase in a single order, provided each single item is under $100.

  • Online & Delivery Warning: Shipping, delivery, and handling charges factor into the total item price for online sales. If a $95 pair of jeans incurs a $10 shipping charge, bringing the total item cost to $105, the entire purchase becomes taxable.

What Qualifies for Tax Exemption?

Category Qualifying Items (Under $100 Each) Excluded / Taxable Items
Clothing & Everyday Wear Jeans, t-shirts, dresses, shorts, socks, underwear, pajamas, school uniforms, jackets, baby clothes, and cloth/disposable face masks. Clothing subscription boxes, items priced at $100 or more, and fabric/thread/yarn for sewing.
Footwear Sneakers, tennis shoes, sandals, cowboy boots, and casual running shoes. Cleats (football/baseball/golf), dance shoes, and specialized athletic/protective footwear.
Bags & Backpacks Standard student backpacks, rolling backpacks, messenger bags, and lunch boxes. Framed backpacks, duffel bags, luggage, briefcases, purses, and computer bags.
School Supplies Binders, notebooks, legal pads, loose-leaf paper, folders, index cards, calculators, rulers, scissors, crayons, pens, pencils, markers, glue sticks, and pre-assembled supply kits. Laptops, desktop computers, tablets, software, e-readers, and textbooks.
Accessories Belts sold with buckle attached. Handbags, jewelry, watches, wallets, sunglasses, umbrellas, and loose belt buckles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does the tax exemption apply to online orders?

Yes, online, catalog, and telephone purchases qualify for the tax exemption as long as the order is submitted and processed between Friday, August 7, and Sunday, August 9, 2026. Keep in mind that shipping and handling fees count toward the $100 price limit per item.

2. Is there a limit on how many items I can buy?

No, there is no dollar limit on the total purchase amount or total quantity of qualifying items. As long as every individual item is priced under $100, each one will be exempt from Texas state and local sales tax.

3. Are computers, tablets, and textbooks tax-free during this weekend?

No, electronic devices such as laptops, computers, tablets, e-readers, and software programs do not qualify for the exemption. Textbooks are also taxable during the sales tax holiday.

4. What happens if I put qualifying items on layaway during the event?

Items placed on layaway or final layaway payments made during the three-day holiday qualify for the sales tax exemption.