Schoolchildren will soon head back to the classroom; and Texas’ annual Sales Tax Holiday will help outfit kids with taxfree clothes, shoes and school supplies they need for the new school year.

“From Aug. 20–22, shoppers will pay no state or local sales tax on many school supplies, school backpacks and most children’s and adults’ clothing and shoes priced at less than $100,” Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. “As our economy continues to recover, this tax break will help families get more bang for their back-to school bucks.”

This year, Combs predicts shoppers will save $59.3 million in state and local sales taxes during the Sales Tax Holiday.

Tax-free school supplies (if priced less than $100):

Binders, Book bags, Calculators, Cellophane tape, Blackboard chalk, Compasses, Composition books, Crayons, Erasers, Folders; expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila, Glue, paste and paste sticks, Highlighters, Index cards, Index card boxes, Legal pads, Lunch boxes, Markers, Notebooks, Paper; loose leaf ruled notebook, paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper, Pencil boxes/school supply boxes, Pencil sharpeners, Pencils, Pens, Protractors, Rulers, Scissors, Writing tablets.

Tax-free clothing:

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 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.

Courtesy of the Hood County News August 14, 2010