Texas Families Get a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday August 7–9: 6 Rules to Check Before Shopping

Texas shoppers can buy many school supplies, clothing items, footwear, and backpacks priced under $100 without paying sales tax from August 7–9, 2026. Checking qualification rules before shopping can help families maximize savings and avoid surprises at checkout – Shutterstock

Back-to-school shopping season often arrives with long supply lists, crowded stores, and a growing total at the checkout register. Fortunately, Texas families get a chance to stretch their dollars a little further during the state’s annual sales tax holiday from August 7 through August 9, 2026. During that three-day period, shoppers can buy many school-related items without paying sales tax, creating welcome savings before the school year begins.

The tax holiday sounds simple on the surface, but several important rules determine which purchases qualify and which ones do not. A shopper who knows those rules can avoid surprises at the register and make smarter buying decisions. Before filling a cart with notebooks, shoes, and backpacks, it helps to know exactly how the program works.