Stores Prep for Tax Free Weekend
By: Ashley Hinson
Updated: August 16, 2012
Reyna can't wait to go shopping with his mom Friday, but customers aren't the only ones benefiting from the Texas tax free holiday.
"Tax free is really exciting for us," said Stephen Spielgelberg, Red Raider Outfitters Manager. "It helps us make up for the summer months when we're slower so we can definitely use that."
School Supplies and clothes are some of the items on the tax-free list, you could save up to $8 on anything under $100.
This weekend is one of Red Raider Outfitter's busiest times of the year.
"It's pretty big," said Spielgelberg It's comparable to a home game for us during football season so we definitely have to brace for it."
And bracing for this tax-free weekend means more staff and hours at the store.
"It allows us to higher in more students and give them jobs," Said Spielgelberg. "We're staging a ton of staff in the back right now trying to get all of our boxes ready to go to hit the floors for that move in and then for tax free so it's exciting it's the best part of the year."
Below are the details on what you can buy tax free this weekend.
Provided by Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts:
CLOTHING
Retailers are not required to collect state and local sales or use tax on most footwear and clothing that are sold for less than $100 during the holiday.
For example, golf cleats and football pads are primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use and are not normally worn except for those purposes; they do not qualify for the exemption. Tennis shoes, jogging suits and swimsuits, however, are commonly worn for purposes other than athletic activity and thus qualify for the exemption.
BACKPACKS
Backpacks priced under $100 sold for use by elementary and secondary students are exempt during the sales tax holiday. A backpack is a pack with straps one wears on the back. The exemption includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags.
The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Texas families also get a sales tax break on most school supplies priced at less than $100 purchased for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school.
EXTRAS
A sale of a qualifying item under a layaway plan qualifies for exemption if the customer places the qualifying merchandise on layaway during the holiday or makes the final payment during the holiday.
issuance of a rain check by a seller during the holiday period will not qualify an eligible item for the exemption if the item is actually purchased after the holiday is over even if the rain check is presented at the time of purchase.
FULL LIST OF CLOTHING GOOD HERE- http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/taxholiday/d/tx98_490_clothing.html
FULL LIST OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES - http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/taxholiday/d/tx98_490_sch_sup.html
Textbooks, computers and software are not exempt during the sales tax holiday.


