Reporting by Natassia Paloma, El Paso Times
Summer break is still in full swing, but with store aisles filling up with notebooks, backpacks and pencils, back-to-school shopping may already be on your mind.
Each year, Texas offers a tax-free holiday to help families save on clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks. In 2026, the sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 7, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9.
To qualify for savings, you’ll have to purchase items from a Texas store or from an online or catalog seller doing business in Texas, according to the Texas Comptroller.
Here’s what to know about what supplies you can save on during the tax-free holiday.
When is tax-free weekend?
In Texas, the tax-free holiday begins Friday, Aug. 7, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9.
What items are tax-free?
- Clothing and footwear: Find the full list of qualifying items here.
- School supplies: Find the full list of qualifying items here.
- Face masks: Cloth and disposable fabric.
- Backpacks: All backpacks under $100, including wheeled backpacks and messenger bags.
Does tax-free weekend apply to electronics?
Some electronics, such as calculators and writing tablets, do qualify, but keep in mind that items must be under $100. Click here for the full list of school supplies covered. Computers do not qualify.
What items do not qualify?
The following items do not qualify for exemption during the sales tax holiday:
- items sold for $100 or more
- clothing subscription boxes
- specially-designed athletic activity or protective-use clothing or footwear
- clothing or footwear rentals, alterations (including embroidery) and cleaning services
- items used to make or repair clothing, such as fabric, thread, yarn, buttons, snaps, hooks and zippers
- jewelry, handbags, purses, briefcases, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches and other accessories
- computers
- software
- textbooks
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times.
