Back To School 2012: What Exactly Is Tax Free on Tax Free Weekend In Texas

Summer vacation is quickly coming to an end and that means back to school shopping has begun. Across the nation students are gearing up to get back in the classroom and start another school year. While kids are trying to hold on to their last moments of their summer vacation, parents are frantically shopping for back to school items.

Whether it’s school supplies or new clothes, stores are offering up great sales to go along with great products. Here in Texas, some parents can take full advantage of those sales as the Tax Free weekend quickly approaches.

This year Tax Free weekend will be August 17th-19th. It’s always the busiest shopping weekend (non Christmas related) of the year. That’s because some parents can save tens to hundreds of dollars on products their kids need for the upcoming school year.

The problem is not everyone always knows what is tax free and what isn’t. That’s all about to change though as the website for the Texas state comptroller has released their list for 2012 tax free items. Take a look at the list provided below and visit the state comptroller’s website to search more items and look at FAQ’s that involve tax free weekend.

School Supplies:

• Binders
• Book bags
• Calculators (priced less than $100)
• Crayons
• Erasers
• Folders
• Glue
• Highlighters
• Index Cards
• Lunch Boxes
• Markers
• Notebooks
• Paper
• Pencils & Pens
• Pencil Sharpeners
• Rulers
• Scissors

For a full list of school supplies that are tax free Click Here.

Clothing, Footwear & Back Packs

• Baby Clothing
• Back Packs (for use by elementary and secondary students)
• Belts
• Boots
• Caps
• Diapers
• Dresses
• Hoodies
• Jackets
• Jeans
• Jerseys
• Sleepwear
• Shirts
• Shoes  (sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking)
• Socks
• Shorts
• Suits
• Sweaters
• Swim Suits
• Underwear

For a full list of clothing, shoes and back packs that are tax free Click Here.

Items That Aren’t Tax Free

• Accessories (generally) – barrettes, elastic ponytail holders, wallets, watches
• Baseball cleats and pants
• Belt buckles (without belt)
• Football pants
• Helmets – bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle, sports
• Jewelry
• Pads – football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee, shoulder

For the full list of items that aren’t tax free Click Here.