Texas Tax-Free Weekend 2025: Your Complete Guide
As summer wraps up and back-to-school season approaches, Texans can look forward to the state’s annual tax-free weekend. This event gives families and bargain hunters a chance to cut costs on essentials like clothing, shoes, and school supplies.Here’s everything you need to know before you start shopping for the 2025 sales tax holiday.When Is Texas Tax-Free Weekend in 2025?
This year, Texas’ sales tax holiday begins on Friday, August 8, 2025, and runs through midnight Sunday, August 10, 2025. During these three days, qualifying items are exempt from the 6.25% state sales tax, helping shoppers stretch their budgets as they prepare for the new school year.What Items Qualify for Tax-Free Savings?
Most clothing, footwear, and school supplies priced under $100 each are tax-free throughout the weekend. There’s no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, meaning you can stock up on everything from jeans and sneakers to notebooks and backpacks.Items That Do Not Qualify
Not everything will be tax-free. According to the Texas Comptroller’s rules, the following items are excluded:
Yes! The sales tax holiday also applies to online, phone, and mail orders as long as the purchase is made between August 8–10, 2025.For example, if you order school supplies online on Sunday, August 10, using a credit card, the purchase is tax-free—even if the items ship on August 16 and arrive later in the month.Delivery and Shipping Charges
Be mindful of shipping fees. Since delivery and handling costs are included in the total purchase price, they can push an item over the $100 limit, making it taxable.
If you accidentally pay sales tax on a qualifying item during the holiday, you can request a refund:1. Ask the seller directly for a refund of the tax paid.2. If the seller does not issue a refund, request Form 00-985 (Assignment to Right to Refund) to file your own claim with the Texas Comptroller’s office.
As summer wraps up and back-to-school season approaches, Texans can look forward to the state’s annual tax-free weekend. This event gives families and bargain hunters a chance to cut costs on essentials like clothing, shoes, and school supplies.Here’s everything you need to know before you start shopping for the 2025 sales tax holiday.When Is Texas Tax-Free Weekend in 2025?
This year, Texas’ sales tax holiday begins on Friday, August 8, 2025, and runs through midnight Sunday, August 10, 2025. During these three days, qualifying items are exempt from the 6.25% state sales tax, helping shoppers stretch their budgets as they prepare for the new school year.What Items Qualify for Tax-Free Savings?
Most clothing, footwear, and school supplies priced under $100 each are tax-free throughout the weekend. There’s no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, meaning you can stock up on everything from jeans and sneakers to notebooks and backpacks.Items That Do Not Qualify
Not everything will be tax-free. According to the Texas Comptroller’s rules, the following items are excluded:
- Any single item priced at $100 or more
- Clothing subscription boxes
- Specialty athletic or protective gear (e.g., golf cleats, football pads)
- Clothing or shoe rentals, alterations, embroidery, or cleaning services
- Materials for making or repairing clothes (fabric, thread, buttons, zippers)
- Accessories like jewelry, handbags, wallets, watches, umbrellas
- Computers, software, and textbooks
- Framed backpacks
- Luggage, briefcases, and gym or duffle bags
- Computer bags
Yes! The sales tax holiday also applies to online, phone, and mail orders as long as the purchase is made between August 8–10, 2025.For example, if you order school supplies online on Sunday, August 10, using a credit card, the purchase is tax-free—even if the items ship on August 16 and arrive later in the month.Delivery and Shipping Charges
Be mindful of shipping fees. Since delivery and handling costs are included in the total purchase price, they can push an item over the $100 limit, making it taxable.
- Example: A $95 item with a $10 delivery charge becomes $105 and loses the exemption.
- If delivery is billed per item, only the delivery fee for qualifying tax-free items is exempt.
If you accidentally pay sales tax on a qualifying item during the holiday, you can request a refund:1. Ask the seller directly for a refund of the tax paid.2. If the seller does not issue a refund, request Form 00-985 (Assignment to Right to Refund) to file your own claim with the Texas Comptroller’s office.
