Tax Free Back To School Shopping (sales, coupons, buying)

[majormadmax]

Since my wife asked me about this, I looked it up and our break from state and local sales taxes on school items will be August 15-17. Also, lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the tax break.

The law exempts most clothing and footwear under $100 from taxes. Backpacks under $100 for elementary and secondary students are also exempt. This includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags; but does not include items that are reasonably defined as "luggage," i.e. briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. Up to ten backpacks can also be purchased tax-free at a time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.

(Source)

I also found this list of most exempt items (see disclaimer at bottom).

Cheers! M2

[shoosh1958]

Layaway? Who has that anymore?

[TXtrkgrl]

Thanks for the info Major. I will make it a point to be on the lake that weekend .

Sorry, I just can't handle the crowds to save a few bucks.

[pobre]

What I still don't understand is why they don't put school supplies on the tax- exempt list!! Then again, I don't get why parents will not get their kids the supplies on the list...and it's not a $ issue...

[buffy888]

I agree - school supplies would make sense for the tax exempt list. I know they get more people to the stores with tax exemption for clothing because it is a bigger savings, but if they had clothing plus school supplies, maybe families would get both.

I also don't understand why places like Office Max and Office Depot limit their super discount school supply stuff to only 3 or 10 per item when they must realize teachers are the ones buying those in bulk to give to their students (because students sometimes show up without them - last year 8 out of my original 22 students brought the school supplies on their list, but all but 1 of my students had new backpacks, new clothes, new shoes, fancy pens that cost $5 or more for one pen rather than $1 that could have been spent on a box of pencils, money for an extra serving at lunch each day, etc.)... I spend enough money at those stores during the school replenishing supplies for the students that it would be nice if I could get 20 or 25 folders for a penny each during a one-time sale.

[cheermomof4girls]

Originally Posted by buffy888

I agree - school supplies would make sense for the tax exempt list. I know they get more people to the stores with tax exemption for clothing because it is a bigger savings, but if they had clothing plus school supplies, maybe families would get both.

I also don't understand why places like Office Max and Office Depot limit their super discount school supply stuff to only 3 or 10 per item when they must realize teachers are the ones buying those in bulk to give to their students (because students sometimes show up without them - last year 8 out of my original 22 students brought the school supplies on their list, but all but 1 of my students had new backpacks, new clothes, new shoes, fancy pens that cost $5 or more for one pen rather than $1 that could have been spent on a box of pencils, money for an extra serving at lunch each day, etc.)... I spend enough money at those stores during the school replenishing supplies for the students that it would be nice if I could get 20 or 25 folders for a penny each during a one-time sale.

I had a similar problem recently when I was school supply shopping at HEB. Since this year I am buying supplies for 4, I went over on some items that they had limits for. The cashier said that she would have to ring up the stuff that went over on a different transaction, since their computers will automatically start charging full price after the limit has been reached. Maybe OM or OD will do the same for you, if you explain you are a teacher, maybe they will do something like that for you.

[pobre]

Originally Posted by buffy888

I also don't understand why places like Office Max and Office Depot limit their super discount school supply stuff to only 3 or 10 per item when they must realize teachers are the ones buying those in bulk to give to their students (because students sometimes show up without them - last year 8 out of my original 22 students brought the school supplies on their list, but all but 1 of my students had new backpacks, new clothes, new shoes, fancy pens that cost $5 or more for one pen rather than $1 that could have been spent on a box of pencils, money for an extra serving at lunch each day, etc.)... I spend enough money at those stores during the school replenishing supplies for the students that it would be nice if I could get 20 or 25 folders for a penny each during a one-time sale.

YES!! I have my husband and kids come with me to those 1cent/5cent sales, and we all buy the limit. That way, I can replenish my classroom supply. I just don't see how kids can afford Blackberries and iPods, and not a 50 cent composition book!

[jkmjuarez]

Did you know that diapers were tax exempt this past year? lol, weird. Nice savings though