Tax-Free weekend begins Friday

What you need to know about getting savings on school supplies

SAN ANTONIO – The start of a new school year is around the corner and Texas’ sales tax holiday weekend begins on Friday. Here’s what you need to know:

How it works

Retailers aren't required to collect state and local sales tax on most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced less than $100 during tax-free weekend. The sales tax exemption for Texas also includes items sold online, or by telephone or mail. Shoppers can use layaway plans to also get the tax break, but the item must be under $100.

Is it worth it?

Shoppers save about $8 on every $100 they spend. But industry forecasters predict families will spend $970 on average this year for back-to-school and college expenses. (That’s $81 more than last year for clothing, shoes, electronics and school supplies.) This year, shoppers will save an estimated $87 million in state and local sales taxes during the sales tax holiday, according to a report from the Texas Comptroller.

Texans can save on items that aren't school supplies, including diapers

Heads up parents! Diapers are on the list of items that are tax-exempt. Click HERE for a full list of taxable and exempt items.

Some items are not included

Not included in the tax break are jewelry, handbags, luggage, wallets, watches, Apple iPhones, and new sports equipment. The Texas Comptroller of Public Affairs has a “fine print” of the items included in the sale.

Can't afford it now? Put it on layaway!

According to the Comptroller's website, "a sale of a qualifying item under a layaway plan qualifies for exemption if the customer places the qualifying merchandise on layaway during the holiday or makes the final payment during the holiday."

Some malls are extending business hours

Here are some of the malls that will extend their hours of business for the Tax Free Weekend holiday. NOTE: Other local malls may have extended hours for Tax Free Weekend, however, the locations below reflect their extended hours listed online.

Extended Hours at Ingram Park Mall
Friday, August 11 – 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, August 12 – 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 13 – 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
* Department store hours may vary

Extended Hours at San Marcos Premium Outlets
Friday, August 11 – 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, August 12 – 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 13 – 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Extended Hours at North Star Mall
Friday, August 11 – 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, August 12 – 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 13 – 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Extended Hours at South Park Mall
Friday, August 11 – 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, August 12 – 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 13 – 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. 

--------------------------------------------------------

Don't miss a thing. Get email alerts from KSAT12 today.
Get alerted to news events as they happen or sign up for a scheduled news headline email that is delivered right to your inbox. Breaking news, severe weather, daily forecasts, entertainment news, all of the day’s important events to keep you up to date wherever you are.

Sign up today. It's Free.


About the Authors:

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.