Taxpayers Get Well Deserved Break — Sales Tax Holiday Begins Friday

This Friday through Sunday, millions of Texas taxpayers will enjoy a brief respite from sales taxes on most clothing purchases on Texas’ third annual Sales Tax Holiday.

“Texans work hard for their money and this is a well-deserved break for all Texas taxpayers,” said Peggy Venable, director of Texas CSE.

Texas instituted the Sales Tax Holiday in 1999 to provide relief to parents buying back-to-school clothes and shoes for their children. The Sales Tax Holiday is expected to save Texans $39.6 million dollars this year – $31.2 million in state sales tax and $8.4 million in local sales taxes.

“Some Texans may use their federal tax-rebate checks to pay for some tax-free clothing,” said Venable. “This weekend provides taxpayers the opportunity to keep more of their hard-earned money. Taxpayers work from January until May just to pay state, local and federal taxes. That’s more than the average family pays for food, clothing and shelter combined.”

Taxpayers are paying record levels of local, state and federal taxes while spending is growing nonstop. The Texas budget for this biennium increased 16% and federal taxes are the highest in peace-time history.

“Tax rebates and holidays are Band-Aids,” said Venable. “We need to provide real relief in the form of lower tax rates. Federal income, state sales and local property taxes are all too high.

“Texas’ 48,000 members will continue to press forward with their agenda of lower taxes and less government spending. Most taxpayers agree that government at all levels taxes and spends too much,” added Venable.