Katy's Back-to-School Tax Free Guide

KATY MAGAZINE

August 10, 2018

By Jennifer Lynn Skelton

The weekend that every parent and student looks forward to is upon us...Back-to-School Tax Free Weekend. August 10 - 12 is the time for parents to save on items such as school supplies and clothing.

The sales tax exemption applies only to qualifying items you buy during the sales tax holiday. Items you buy before or after the sales tax holiday do not qualify for exemption, and there is no tax refund available.

Many retail outlets have adjusted their weekend hours to accommodate the increased traffic including the Katy Mills Mall (see below).

Friday, 8/10 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturday, 8/11 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday, 8/12 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Qualifying Items

Click the links before to scroll the complete lists.

List of Clothing, Footwear and Other Items
List of School Supplies
Clothing and Footwear
Backpacks
School Supplies

Special Purchases

School Supplies Purchased Using a Business Account – Exemption Certificate Required

If you buy qualifying school supplies under a business account, you must give a properly completed Form 01-339, Texas Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate, to the seller.

"Under a business account" means you are:

using a business credit card or business check and not a personal credit card or personal check;
being billed under a business account maintained by the seller; or
using a business membership at a membership-based retailer.

Items that Do Not Qualify

The following items do not qualify for exemption during the sales tax holiday:

items sold for $100 or more
clothing subscription boxes
specially-designed athletic activity or protective-use clothing or footwear
For example, golf cleats and football pads are usually worn only when people play golf or football, so they do not qualify for the exemption.
Tennis shoes, jogging suits and swimsuits, however, can be worn for other than athletic activity and qualify for the exemption.
clothing or footwear rentals, alterations (including embroidery) and cleaning services
items used to make or repair clothing, such as fabric, thread, yarn, buttons, snaps, hooks and zippers
jewelry, handbags, purses, briefcases, umbrellas, wallets, watches and other accessories
computers
software
textbooks
luggage, framed backpacks, computer bags, athletic bags