Publisher’s Note
We set out to create a comprehensive resource to help Texas shoppers make the most of Tax-Free Weekend, with a special focus on Del Rio. No matter where you live in Texas, we hope these guides help you save a few dollars, understand what qualifies for the tax exemption and avoid paying sales tax on eligible purchases.
While we’d love to take all the credit, we also want to give credit where it’s due. The Texas Comptroller’s Sales Tax Holiday website was an invaluable resource in preparing these articles. If you have a question we didn’t answer, we encourage you to visit the Comptroller’s website for the complete rules and official guidance. Feel free to civilly give us feedback in the Facebook comments and we’ll work to get it fixed this year, or do better next year.
Most of all, thank you for reading The 830 Times. We appreciate the opportunity to serve our community and hope this guide helps make your back-to-school shopping a little easier—and a little less expensive.
From staff reports
If you’re heading out to shop during Texas Tax-Free Weekend, knowing exactly what qualifies can save you money and prevent surprises at the checkout line.
In general, most clothing, footwear, school supplies and student backpacks priced at less than $100 per item qualify for the sales tax exemption. There is no limit to the number of qualifying items you can purchase.
Clothing
The following clothing items generally qualify if each item costs less than $100:
- Baby clothes
- Bibs
- Coats and jackets
- Dresses
- Gloves
- Hats and caps
- Hoodies
- Jeans
- Pajamas
- Pants
- Raincoats
- Robes
- Shirts
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Socks
- Suits
- Sweaters
- Sweatshirts
- T-shirts
- Undergarments
- Uniforms
- Work clothes
Footwear
These types of shoes generally qualify:
- Athletic shoes
- Boots
- Casual shoes
- Dress shoes
- Flip-flops
- Sandals
- Slippers
- Tennis shoes
Note: Shoes designed only for a specific sport, such as many football, baseball and golf cleats, generally do not qualify.
Backpacks
Student backpacks priced under $100 qualify, including:
- Traditional backpacks
- Rolling backpacks
- Messenger bags
The exemption does not include:
- Computer bags
- Duffel bags
- Gym bags
- Luggage
- Briefcases
- Purses
- Framed backpacks
School Supplies
These school supplies qualify when priced under $100 each:
- Binders
- Book bags
- Calculators
- Chalk
- Compasses
- Composition books
- Crayons
- Erasers
- Folders
- Glue and glue sticks
- Highlighters
- Index cards
- Legal pads
- Lunch boxes
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Paper
- Pencil boxes
- Pencils
- Pens
- Poster board
- Protractors
- Rulers
- Scissors
- Spiral notebooks
Texas also exempts several additional qualifying classroom supplies.
Remember the $100 Rule
The exemption applies to each individual item, not your total purchase.
For example:
- ✅ Three pairs of $60 shoes all qualify.
- ✅ Five $25 notebooks all qualify.
- ❌ One $120 jacket does not qualify.
Before You Check Out
Before heading to the register, remember these four rules:
- Each qualifying item must cost less than $100.
- There is no limit on how many qualifying items you can buy.
- The exemption applies in stores and to qualifying online purchases.
- Keep your receipt in case sales tax is charged by mistake.
