Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Texas Tax-Free Weekend 2014: Save Money While You Prepare for Back to School

Whether you're shopping online or in stores, block out your calendar to save on Back to School items this weekend The 2014 Texas Sales Tax Holiday is this weekend, August 8-10. Many malls and stores -- including Memorial City Mall here in Spring Branch ISD -- plan to host extended business times or special events, so check with your favorite shopping spots to see what opening and closing times or special sales events will be this weekend.

On Saturday, Aug. 9, for example, Memorial City Mall will partner with KPRC TV2 and the Children's Museum of Houston to present Students Rock the City -- a back to school fashion runway "extravaganza" show featuring both professional and student models showing "what is cool" for school this fall. The show begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Beginning at 12:30 p.m. on that same day, Spring Branch ISD high school cheerleaders and team mascots will be on hand to spread team spirit and offer photo opportunities for area families.

Featured will the Stratford Spartanaires, Memorial Markettes and Arista Dance Company, among other performers. The show will be held near the Memorial City Mall west entrance near the American Girl store and the Skate USA rink.

During the three days of Texas Tax-Free Weekend, most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100 are exempt from state sales and use taxes. That equals about $8 savings for every $100 spent. Texas State Government says subject to some criteria, "all sales of qualifying items made during the holiday period qualify for the exemption, including items sold online, or by telephone or mail."

What items are exempt and what are taxable?
It gets a bit more complicated so do shop smartly. For example, some sports gear like golf cleats and track shoes are taxable, but tennis shoes and swimsuits are exempt. Headbands and helmets are taxable, but baseball caps are exempt.

Click the link below for more information on what items are eligible for Tax-Free Weekend: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/taxholiday/m/

Happy shopping!