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Black Friday > News > Texas Tax-Free Shopping Weekends 2024

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Texas Tax-Free Shopping Weekends 2024

Article - Texas Tax-Free Shopping Weekends 2024
Kristin McGrath

Kristin McGrath

Updated June 7, 2024 02:59pm EDT

Texas has three tax-free weekends for three different types of purchases. Here's what you need to know about all of them.

In the state of Texas, where everything is bigger, shoppers can take advantage of three tax-free weekends throughout the year. So if you miss out on Black Friday, Prime Day and other major sales events, you get another chance to save in the form of the waived 6.25% state sales and use tax. To ensure you don't miss out on Texas' tax-free weekends, we highlighted when they take place and what's eligible below.

When are Texas' tax-free weekends 2024?

Texas has three tax-free weekends throughout the year:

Items you can buy tax-free in Texas during sales tax holidays

What you can buy without paying taxes depends on which tax-free weekend you're shopping.

Back-to-school tax holiday (August)

Designed to help Texans save on back-to-school purchases, this tax-free weekend centers on school supplies, clothing and more. In 2023, it takes place from Aug. 11 to 13. Eligible items you can buy tax-free include:

  • Select clothing under $100
  • Select shoes under $100
  • Select underclothes under $100
  • School backpacks under $100

See a full list of included and excluded items.

Where to shop: Because plenty of states offer back-to-school tax-free weekends in the summer, big-box stores often get in on the action in a July-August time frame by offering concurrent back-to-school sales. Check out our guide to the best back-to-school sales to shop, so you don't miss out on a saving opportunity.

Important information about Texas tax-free weekends

The most important detail to remember about Texas tax-free weekends is the price thresholds. If the item you buy costs more than the threshold (see above), you'll have to pay sales tax. Note that, in Texas, shipping costs are considered part of the item's cost. So, if an item you want has a $100 threshold, you buy an item that's $95 and shipping costs $10, that item will NOT be eligible for waived taxes.

Also, be sure to pay very close attention to the exemptions. Items you think are tax free may not be. For example, when it comes to clothing, many accessories and sports-specific clothing are not eligible for waived taxes during the back-to-school tax weekend in Texas.

Emergency preparation sales tax holiday (April)

Designed to help Texas residents prepare for hurricane season, this tax-free weekend allows shoppers to avoid the 6.25% state sales tax. There's no limit on the number of eligible items shoppers can buy.

Eligible items include:

  • Portable generators under $3,000
  • Emergency ladders and hurricane shutters under $300
  • A variety of supplies under $75, including coolers and ice chests, first aid kits, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Not everything you need in an emergency is included, however. Some notable exclusions include camping supplies, chainsaws, stepladders, plywood and more.

See a full list of included and excluded items.

Where to shop: Home supply stores, such as Lowe's and Home Depot will allow you to check off practically every item on the state's list of eligible purchases. Note that only specific types of rescue ladders qualify for tax exemption, and Home Depot and Lowe's tend to carry them.

Water- and energy-efficient products sales tax holiday (Memorial Day weekend)

Aiming to encourage energy efficiency and water conservation, this weekend waives taxes on select water-efficient products and products with EnergyStar designation, including:

  • EnergyStar air conditioners (with a sales price of $6,000 or less)
  • EnergyStar refrigerators (with a sales price of $2,000 or less)
  • EnergyStar ceiling fans, incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, dishwashers, clothing washers and more

See a full list of included and excluded items for water-preserving products and EnergyStar products.

Where to shop: Best Buy, Lowe's and Home Depot have a large selection of EnergyStar appliances and also frequently run appliance sales worth up to 35% off.

About the Author

Kristin McGrath

Kristin is a savings and deals expert at BlackFriday.com. Her background in personal-finance journalism — along with her own enthusiasm for shopping and travel — drive her passion for helping consumers become savvy and informed bargain-hunters.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analysis, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of our partners.
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