Weekend marks 10th annual sales tax holiday

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs reminds Texans that the annual sales tax holiday brings savings on clothing and shoes this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-17.

For the 10th consecutive year, shoppers will pay no state or local sales tax on most kids' and adults' clothing and shoes priced less than $100 during the tax-free weekend. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.

"Many family budgets are stretched to the limit," Combs said. "This year, the sales tax holiday is sure to be muchneeded and much appreciated by families shopping for school clothes and fall wardrobes."

Combs estimates shoppers will save about $54 million in sales tax during the sales tax holiday, including approximately $42.1 million in state sales tax and $11.9 million in local sales taxes.

Since 1999, the clothing sales tax holiday has saved shoppers more than $388 million.

List of Items and Their Exemption Status TAX-FREE - 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 TAXED - 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