Dates
changed
for
August
sales
tax
holiday
Texas
Comptroller
Susan
Combs
has
announced
that the
date for
the
annual
sales
tax
holiday
has
changed
from the
first
weekend
in
August
to the
third
weekend
of
August.
Combs
also
said
that
backpacks,
a
standard
item on
many
kids’
school
supply
lists,
can now
be
purchased
tax-free
during
the
sales
tax
holiday.
“From
now on,
the
sales
tax
holiday
will
occur on
the
third
Friday,
Saturday
and
Sunday
of
August,”
Combs
said.
“This
year,
the date
is Aug.
17-19.”
Since
many
school
districts
are now
starting
their
school
year
later,
the 80th
Legislature
changed
the date
of the
sales
tax
holiday
to move
it
closer
to the
first
day of
school.
During
the
sales
tax
holiday,
children’s
and
adult’s
clothing
and
shoes
priced
less
than
$100 –
and now
backpacks
that
cost
less
than
$100 –
are
exempt
from
state
and
local
taxes.
“The
Legislature
responded
to
parents’
requests
to add
backpacks
to the
list of
tax-exempt
items,”
Combs
said.
“Backpacks
can be
expensive,
especially
for
parents
who have
to buy
them for
several
children.
A tax
break
helps.”
Combs
also
announced
that,
starting
in May
2008,
energy-efficient
appliances
will be
exempt
from
sales
tax
during
the
three-day
Memorial
Day
weekend.
Certain
appliances
with a
federal
Energy
Star
rating
will be
tax-free,
including
washing
machines,
dishwashers,
ceiling
fans,
dehumidifiers,
programmable
thermostats
and
incandescent
fluorescent
light
bulbs.
Air
conditioners
priced
at
$6,000
or less
and
refrigerators
priced
at
$2,000
or less
can also
be
purchased
tax-free.
“Texas
consumers
will
save
about $8
for
every
$100
they
spend on
qualifying
appliances,”
Combs
said.
“Even
more
importantly,
they
will
reap
savings
on their
utility
bills by
purchasing
energy-efficient
appliances,
and the
demand
for
electricity
will be
reduced.”
The
Comptroller
predicts
that
families
will
save
about
$52.1
million
in sales
taxes
during
the
August
sales
tax
holiday.
More
information
on the
August
sales
tax
holiday
on
clothing
and
shoes
can be
found on
the
Comptroller’s
web site
at
www.window.state.tx.us.
