Woodlands-area families stocking up for the first day of school can keep $8 in their pockets for every $100 they spend on backpacks, clothing, and school supplies next weekend.
The annual Texas Sales Tax Holiday runs Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9, suspending the full 8.25% combined sales tax on most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks priced under $100 per item. With Conroe ISD's first day of school set for Wednesday, Aug. 12, the timing gives families a final weekend to shop before classrooms open across the district, which projects about 73,000 students for the coming year.
What qualifies
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock's office exempts individual items under $100 from both state and local sales tax during the three-day window. No exemption certificate or coupon is needed at checkout.
The $100 cap includes shipping and handling. A $95 pair of jeans with a $10 delivery charge totals $105 and would not qualify. Online purchases count as long as payment is submitted during the holiday period, regardless of when the item ships or arrives.
The Woodlands rate breakdown
The Woodlands' 8.25% combined rate breaks down as 6.25% state tax, 1% Woodlands Township tax, and 1% Woodlands Township Economic Development Zone tax, according to Woodlands Online. That means a family spending $300 on back-to-school gear saves $24.75 over the weekend.
What to watch for
Shoppers charged tax on a qualifying item during the holiday can request a refund from the seller. If the retailer won't issue one, it must provide Form 00-985 so the buyer can file directly with the Texas Comptroller. No retroactive refund is available for purchases made outside the three-day window.
Other back-to-school prep
Conroe ISD is hosting a district-wide new student registration day on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon at two locations: Walter P. Jett Teacher Training Center at 19043 David Memorial Drive in Shenandoah and Peet Junior High at 1895 Longmire Road in Conroe. The event is open to all students new to the district in grades PK-12.
Full supply lists and enrollment details are available at Conroe ISD's Back-to-School Central.
The sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 7.
