READY! SET! GOOOOOOO!

Mark your calendars and plan to go shopping!

Texas shoppers will get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 17, 18, and 19 - the state's annual tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.

Below is a selected list of items and their exemption status during the sales tax holiday.

Tax-Free Items

· Baby clothes
· Backpacks for use by elementary and secondary students
· Belts with attached buckles
· Boots - cowboy, hiking
· Caps/hats - baseball, fishing, golf, knitted
· Coats and wraps
· Diapers - adult and baby
· Dresses
· Gloves (generally)
· Gym suits and uniforms
· Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts
· Hosiery
· Jackets
· Jeans
· Jerseys - baseball and football
· Jogging apparel
· Neckwear and ties
· Pajamas
· Pants and trousers
· Raincoats and ponchos
· Robes
· Shirts
· Shoes - sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking
· Socks (including athletic)
· Shorts
· Suits, slacks, and jackets
· Sweatshirts
· Sweat suits
· Sweaters
· Swimsuits
· Underclothes
· Work clothes and uniforms

Taxable Items

· Accessories (generally) - barrettes, elastic ponytail holders, wallets, watches
· Backpacks - unless for use by elementary and secondary students
· Baseball cleats and pants
· Belt buckles (without belt)
· Boots - climbing, fishing, rubber work boots, ski, waders
· Buttons and zippers
· Cloth and lace, knitting yarns, and other fabrics
· Dry cleaning services
· Football pants
· Golf gloves
· Handbags and purses
· Handkerchiefs
· Hard hats
· Helmets - bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle, sports
· Ice skates
· Jewelry
· Laundering services
· Leather goods - except belts with buckles and wearing apparel
· Pads - football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee, shoulder
· Personal flotation devices
· Rented clothing (including uniforms, formal wear, and costumes)
· Roller blades and skates
· Safety clothing, glasses
· Shoes - bicycle (cleated), bowling, golf.

If you have questions, please call toll free at 1-800-252-5555, Susan Combs Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts