Texas/New Mexico Tax-free Weekend Explained Simply

Texas and New Mexico’s Tax-free weekends coincide this year.

This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shoppers can skip the respective STATE sales taxes on back-to-school items. Here are the most frequently asked questions with the simplest answers possible.

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HOW MUCH DO YOU SAVE?

It depends on which state you’re shopping in (not which you reside in). In New Mexico, the state sales tax is right around 5%, and in Texas, it’s 6.25 %. Also, it will depend on how much you buy.

DOES EVERY STATE HAVE A BACK-TO-SCHOOL TAX-FREE WEEKEND?

No.  There are some states, like Oregon and New Hampshire that have NO state sales tax, therefore, no point in a tax-free weekend. There are other states, like Alabama and Missouri, that HAVE tax-free weekends but allow counties and municipalities to “opt-out” of the weekend.

WHAT KINDS OF ITEMS ARE TAX-FREE?

This really varies from state to state. For instance, in Oklahoma, the tax break is only for “clothing and footwear”. Other states have other eligible items.

WELL, WHAT ABOUT TEXAS THEN?

Almost every item of clothing is exempt, if the value doesn’t exceed $100.

Most “physical” school supplies, such as notebooks, pencils, compasses, etc.  ARE, in fact, tax-free.

Backpacks are tax-free, as long as they’re under $100.

Computers are NOT tax-exempt in Texas.

OK, HOW ABOUT IN NEW MEXICO?

New Mexico’s tax-free items are very similar to Texas, but not exactly.

For instance, in New Mexico, computers ARE tax-free during the three-day weekend. However, only if they are LESS than one thousand dollars.

HOW ABOUT FOR ONLINE SHOPPING?

In a move toward modernization, back-to-school shoppers can save the sales tax (state) on items purchased in-store…but ALSO, online, by telephone or mail. The date of purchase just has to be within that three-day period.

Same in New Mexico, online purchases are tax-free as long as they A.) are on the list of approved items and B.) ordered and paid for from August 11^th thru August 13^th.

IS THERE ANY PLACE YOU, BUZZ ADAMS, WOULD RECOMMEND FOR THE TAX-FREE WEEKEND?

I’m so glad you asked! Yes, I highly recommend the KLAQ Back to School Expo at Cielo Vista Mall on Saturday, August 12^th.  Stores at Cielo Vista Mall always put additional, sometimes DEEP, discounts on back-to-school items. Plus, lots of entertainment, prizes, and even “scholarships” up to 500 dollars throughout the mall!

You can find out everything about the Back to School Expo at Cielo Vista Mall, here.