Sales Tax Holiday

If you celebrate the Day After Thanksgiving, we'd like to alert you to a shopping holiday of equal import.

The seventh-annual Texas-wide Sales Tax Holiday is this weekend, August 5 - 7. While the state is still going to take its cut on sales of frivolous items like safety clothes and ski boots, most standard-issue shoe and clothing items under $100 are tax-exempt. The powers that be offer a comprehensive list of exempt and non-exempt items here.

Although the government promotes the event as a chance for families to get their kids all geared up for the coming school year, we prefer to use it as an excuse to binge on pumps and short skirts. Traditionally, a number of retailers join in the festivities by having sales and promotions. For those of you less inclined to acts of wanton consumerism, we recommend staying away from most major retail outlets this weekend.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Carly Kocurek in Arts & Entertainment on August 3, 2005 2:36 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

CJ

I think online purchases do qualify, you may have to check first with the store you are buying from. I received an email from Old Navy.com that said Texas residents who shopped online this weekend would get that tax break as well.

lunarhowl

Does anyone know if online purchases can qualify? BTW, here's a link comparing the tax breaks of different states. (As a Boston transplant, I must say Texas sure looks stingy by comparison. Just $99.99?? Geez.)

CJ

trish-I've asked myself that same question. I guess for parents who have a lot of kids they have to shop for, or heck just one kid, those savings do help. Have you seen a school supply list recently? All those school supplies add up, so parents are relieve to get a break on clothes at least.