Houston Texas Enjoy Tax-Free Shopping August 19-21, 2011

By Angela Patterson, About.com Guide

Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 19-21, 2011 - the state's annual sales tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.

The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend.
Tax-Free Items

Tax free items include everything from baby clothes and diapers to dresses and t-shirts. Undergarments, swimsuits, jeans, pants, skirts and slacks are tax-free items. So are sneakers, sandals and socks. And in case the heat wave of 2010 breaks, sweaters and sweatshirts are not taxed either.

Taxed

Taxable items tend to be the more specialized, less necessary items of clothing such as jewelry, hair accessories, purses, football pants and golf gloves. Regular shoes (sandals, slippers, sneakers) are exempt, but cleated shoes, fishing boots and ballet slippers are not. A more complete list of exempt and non-exempt items can be found on the state of Texas website.

School Supplies

The Texas Legislature passed HB 1801 (2009) expanding the list of items qualifying for exemption from Texas state and local sales and use taxes during the annual sales tax holiday in August. In addition to clothes, footwear and some backpacks, this year Texas families also get a sales tax break on most school supplies (priced at less than $100) purchased for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school. Items like pencils, pens, folders, calculators, crayons and glue are tax free. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt.