Back-to-school shopping can add up quickly, especially when a household is buying new shoes, backpacks, classroom supplies and clothing for more than one child. For families in Lakes on Eldridge, the Texas Sales Tax Holiday offers a three-day opportunity to stretch those shopping dollars while preparing for the new school year.

The 2026 Texas tax-free weekend begins Friday, Aug. 7, and continues through midnight Sunday, Aug. 9. During that period, shoppers can purchase most qualifying clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks without paying state or local sales tax, provided each eligible item has a total sales price of less than $100.

Qualifying purchases may be made at Texas stores or through online and catalog sellers doing business in Texas. In most cases, shoppers do not need to provide an exemption certificate.

What Is Tax-Free During the 2026 Texas Sales Tax Holiday?

The Texas Sales Tax Holiday generally covers many of the items families commonly purchase before school begins, including eligible clothing, footwear, backpacks and classroom supplies priced below the state’s $100 limit.

The exemption is applied to each qualifying item individually. That means a family may purchase several eligible items during the weekend even when the total transaction exceeds $100, as long as each qualifying item remains under the required price threshold.

For example, several shirts priced at $30 each may qualify even when the combined purchase exceeds $100. However, a single eligible item priced at $100 or more would not qualify for the exemption.

Residents should review the Texas Comptroller’s official lists of qualifying clothing, footwear, backpacks and school supplies before making larger purchases, particularly when shopping for specialty items that may not fall within the exemption.

Online Purchases Can Qualify

Shoppers do not have to visit a physical store to take advantage of tax-free weekend. Eligible items may be purchased online, by telephone, through the mail, by custom order or through other remote ordering methods.

The important factor is when the transaction takes place.

For an online purchase to qualify, the shopper must complete the payment process during the sales tax holiday. Delivery can occur after the weekend without affecting the exemption.

For example, an online order placed and successfully paid for at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, may qualify even when the merchandise is not shipped until several days later. However, if the payment is declined Sunday night and is not successfully resubmitted until Monday, Aug. 10, the purchase becomes taxable.

That timing distinction may be especially useful for Lakes on Eldridge residents planning to shop online for school supplies or clothing that is unavailable at nearby stores.

Shipping Charges Can Push an Item Over $100

One of the most important details for online shoppers is that delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges imposed by the seller are considered part of an item’s sales price.

Because qualifying clothing, backpacks and school supplies must cost less than $100, added shipping charges can cause an otherwise eligible purchase to become taxable.

For example, a pair of jeans priced at $95 with a $10 delivery charge would have a total sales price of $105. Sales tax would be due on the full $105 because the total price exceeds the state’s limit.

When a delivery fee is charged separately for each item, the shipping charge assigned to a qualifying item may also qualify for the exemption, provided the combined cost remains below $100.

Flat-rate shipping charges can be handled differently, depending on how the seller applies the fee to the items in the package. Shoppers may want to review the final checkout total carefully before submitting an order.

Purchases Must Be Made During the Holiday

Only qualifying items purchased between Friday, Aug. 7, and midnight Sunday, Aug. 9, are eligible for the sales tax exemption.

Items bought before the holiday cannot be made tax-free retroactively. Purchases completed after the deadline are also taxable, even when the shopper originally placed an item in an online cart during the weekend.

The Texas Comptroller states that no tax refund is available simply because an eligible item was purchased before or after the official sales tax holiday dates.

Layaway purchases, special orders and items obtained with rain checks may qualify in certain situations, depending on when the purchase agreement or payment is completed. School supplies purchased through a business account may require an exemption certificate.

What Happens If Sales Tax Is Charged by Mistake?

A shopper who pays sales tax on a qualifying item purchased during the holiday may ask the seller for a refund.

The seller may issue the refund directly or provide Form 00-985, Assignment to Right to Refund, allowing the customer to submit a refund claim to the Texas Comptroller’s office.

Residents should keep receipts, online order confirmations and payment records, especially when purchasing several qualifying items or ordering close to the Sunday night deadline.

A Weekend Designed to Help Texas Families

Texas has held its annual sales tax holiday each August since 1999. The program is intended to help households save on common back-to-school necessities while encouraging shoppers to support Texas businesses.

The savings on one item may appear modest, but the benefit can become more meaningful when a family is purchasing supplies and clothing for several students. Planning ahead, comparing prices and checking shipping fees can help shoppers make the most of the three-day opportunity.

For households in Lakes on Eldridge, the weekend may also help spread out back-to-school expenses before classes resume. Families should confirm that each item qualifies, make sure the total price remains below $100 and complete online payments before midnight on Aug. 9.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional back-to-school information, family resources and community updates.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.