Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

August 21, 22, and 23 Texas shoppers will get a break during the state's annual tax holiday. The law exempts most clothing, backpacks and footwear for elementary and secondary school students.

"Saving money on school supplies is a great deal. Hopefully El Paso will shop and save this weekend."

During the 81st legislative session, Senator Shapleigh filed SB 675 which would create a December sales tax exemption period, in addition to sales tax holiday in August. SB 376, also filed by Senator Shapleigh during the 80th legislative session would amend the Tax Code to ensure that school supplies such as backpacks are added to the list of items exempt from the sales tax holiday, which was later amended that legislative session.

HB 1801 expands the list of qualifying merchandise for exemption from Texas state and local sales and use taxes during the annual sales tax holiday. In addition to the list, Texas families will save an average of $8 for every $100 purchase on most school supplies.

The following is an all-inclusive list of qualifying school supplies if priced under $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 and other school supply boxes
• Pencil sharpeners
• Pencils
• Pens
• Protractors
• Rulers
• Scissors