Winter is coming… well not quite yet, but fall is, and that means school is right around the corner. Don’t worry, our favorite holiday of the year is here to fill our closets and stock our backpacks. Texas’ annual Tax-Free weekend is coming up, so start thinking ahead because the festivities begin Friday, August 11th, and end Sunday, August 13th.

This holiday packs a lot of savings but can be a tad overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to help you navigate the best shopping weekend of the summer for a stress-free tax-free weekend.

Know Your Dates.

This tax-free shopping experience is only happening over the weekend of August 11th – August 13th. However, every year, stores across the state accompany this massive deal with special sales extended through the week. Hello, back-to-school shopping month!

Read the Fine Print.

Every retailer is required to participate, but they are not required to offer the tax-free discount on-site. Instead, the retailer may charge you in full and ask that you request a refund for the difference. Save yourself the hassle of filing a refund by asking about their policy, checking out their website and keeping your receipts just in case.

Don’t Max Out.

Note-to-self: items over $100 are not tax-exempt, which means you might want to save those items for your tax-return shopping trip in the spring. You can, however, spend more than $100 at once. Just make sure any single item does not exceed the price maximum. 

Know what’s Included

The official list of tax-free eligible items is available online and can help you save time, plan, and prepare for the school year ahead! The basics that are included in Texas’ tax-free weekend are things like clothing, footwear, backpacks, face masks, and school supplies. Some of our favorite products are jeans, dresses, jackets, suits, and robes (that one’s especially great for mom.) Click here to explore the specifics of what’s taxable and what’s except.

Plan Ahead.

Research, research, research! Discover which stores are offering savings on top of tax-free weekend and map them out before you leave the house. Check out all the official info here.