Sales tax holiday starts Friday

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - For three days, shoppers will be able to save money with no taxes on many items costing less than $100.

"They're having the sales and not having the taxes. So it's going to be great," said shopper Selena Millhouse, who just graduated from Texas State University.

Even though she is through with school, Millhouse said she could use the savings on the clothes she needs for her new job.

"Shoes, being a girl you know, just got some new shoes," Millhouse said.

Every year dating back to 1999, the state exempts most clothing items and school supplies valued at less than $100 from the state's 6.25 percent sales tax on a weekend before school starts. Most local taxing entities also follow suit.

All this means that from Friday through Sunday, shoppers in and around Austin can save up to 8.25 percent on the eligible items.

But that extra pock money isn't enough for Carla Wilson to join the crowds at area malls and retail centers this weekend. The long lines that accompany the tax holiday are just not worth the savings, she said.

"It's too crowded, takes too long, just not enough of a convenience for me and just not enough savings," she said.

• Photos of tax-free items

Some shoppers are taking advantage of the sales early before the crowds, despite missing out on the tax-free savings.

The Reebok store at the San Marcos Premium Outlets is already prepared for bargain-hungry customers.

"Lots of receiving, lots of filling, bringing in extra people, getting the floor jammed pack as possible and getting ready for the weekend," said store manager of San Marcos Reebok Carly Black.

Gov. Rick Perry was in San Marcos on Thursday to encourage Texans to take advantage of the tax-free weekend.

“As summer turns to fall and Texas children get ready to head back into the classroom, the state’s sales tax holiday provides a great opportunity for families to get the supplies they need to help their children succeed in the upcoming school year,” Perry said. “I encourage Texans to hit the stores this weekend and take advantage of this holiday as we gear up for another great school year in Texas.”

The State Comptroller's Office says shoppers will save an estimated $64.8 million in state and local sales taxes during this year's sales tax holiday.

Here is what qualifies, as long as each item costs less than $100:

• 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
• 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 (including dry erase 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 and other school supply boxes
• Pencil sharpeners
• Pencils
• Pens
• Protractors
• Rulers
• Scissors
• Writing tablets