"Start making your shopping list for school clothes for the kids and new clothes for mom and dad," Comptroller Rylander said. "During the Sales Tax Holiday, most clothes and shoes priced under $100 are exempt from state and local sales taxes."
Rylander estimates Texans will save $42 million in sales tax during the three-day Sales Tax Holiday, including $33.2 million in state sales tax and $8.8 million in local sales taxes.
"I believe Texans will once again take full advantage of this well-deserved tax break to make their dollars go farther as they shop for a new school year," Rylander said. "During the Sales Tax Holiday, shoppers save about $8 for every $100 they spend on qualifying clothing and footwear."
The savings from Texas' three Sales Tax Holidays thus far total approximately $108.2 million, including an estimated $85.3 million in state sales tax and an estimated $22.9 million in local sales taxes.
"That's $108 million that Texans have been able to keep in their pockets for their families' priorities," Comptroller Rylander said.
Examples of items that can be purchased tax-free August 2-4 include kids' clothes and school uniforms, adults' clothes and work uniforms, shoes, tennis shoes, slippers, sleepwear and underclothes for the entire family, as long as the items are priced under $100 each.
Items that can not be purchased tax-free include handbags, wallets, jewelry, accessories, athletic shoes and apparel that are not normally street wear, backpacks and school supplies.
"I asked the last legislature to expand the Sales Tax Holiday to include backpacks, school supplies, baby car seats, bicycle safety helmets and other safety gear for our most precious resource-our children," Comptroller Rylander said. "I also want to extend the Sales Tax Holiday from three days to five days. Texans don't need a three-day traffic jam. This must be a priority in the next legislative session."
No Texas community has opted out of the Sales Tax Holiday this year. To opt out, a city, county or other local taxing entity must notify the Comptroller by March 31.