Does Texas have a tax-free weekend?
Quick answer
Yes. Texas runs a sales tax holiday: Back-to-school holiday in August plus emergency-preparation and Energy Star holidays. Qualifying purchases skip the full combined rate, which runs 8.25% in covered Texas metros.
Holiday dates and qualifying item lists are set by statute and can change year to year. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts publishes the official list before each holiday, including per-item price caps and whether local jurisdictions must participate.
Rule summary
How Texas treats each category.
| Recurring holiday | Back-to-school holiday in August plus emergency-preparation and Energy Star holidays. |
|---|---|
| Normal combined rate | 8.25% |
| Clothing exemption | None |
| Grocery exemption | Year-round |
This page summarizes the general rule. Every state writes exceptions for specific products, and local jurisdictions can differ from the state treatment. Confirm your situation with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts or a tax professional before relying on it for filing.
Combined rates in Texas
What a taxable purchase actually costs in Texas.
Frequently asked
Answers pulled from the same rule set.
- Does Texas have a tax-free weekend?
- Yes — Texas runs a sales tax holiday: Back-to-school holiday in August plus emergency-preparation and Energy Star holidays.
- Do local taxes still apply during a Texas sales tax holiday?
- It depends on the statute. Some states require every local jurisdiction to participate; others let cities opt out and keep charging their local share. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts publishes the participating jurisdictions each year.
More Texas guides
Other Texas rules that change the total.