Rep. Dwayne Bohac Reminds Families to Take Advantage of Texas’ Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend
HOUSTON—With the start of the new school year around the corner, State Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) reminds families and shoppers to take advantage of our state's annual sales tax holiday this weekend, August 10-12.
“It's that time of year again when summer is winding down and the new school year is upon us—and that means it's also time for our annual back-to-school tax-free weekend,” said Rep. Bohac. “Over the years, this sales tax holiday weekend has offered consumers important savings and I encourage all families and shoppers to take advantage of it.”
The three-day sales tax holiday exempts Texas shoppers from paying sales and use taxes on most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100. This will save shoppers roughly $8 on every $100 they spend. Since the annual sales tax holiday was enacted in 1999, it has saved Texans over $1.2 billion. This year, shoppers will save an estimated $90.3 million alone.
Lists of qualifying apparel, school supplies and other items that may be purchased tax-free can be found at TexasTaxHoliday.org.
“I understand how costly clothing, shoes and school supplies can be, and every bit of savings helps,” added Bohac. “The sales tax holiday will help families save almost 10 percent while getting the essentials to outfit their children and equip them to learn during the upcoming school year.”
In 2009, Rep. Bohac successfully authored HB 1801 that added most school supplies and backpacks to the list of exempted items during Texas’ annual sales tax holiday. This additional exemption is estimated to have saved Texas parents, students and teachers more than $75 million on essential school supplies since it passed.
LOOKING FORWARD: Electronic Devices and More Savings
During the last legislative session, Rep. Bohac filed HB 589 that would have expanded the back-to-school holiday by increasing the eligibility of clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies to items that cost up to $200 instead of the current $100 limit. In addition, it would have added certain electronic devices such as computers, tablets and e-readers to the list of tax-free school supply items eligible. The measure was put on hold do to existing state budget restraints at the time but will be re-filed when Bohac returns to Austin for the next legislative session in January.
“Although HB 589 was not adopted before the last legislative session adjourned, I am committed to expanding the sales tax holiday during the upcoming session to bring even more meaningful sales tax relief to hardworking families,” Bohac said. “I was happy to get school supplies and backpacks added to the list of tax exempt items, but now we have to work to add the electronics and technology that the 21st century classroom requires.”