shop tax-free

Texas’ tax-free weekend returns with deals for back-to-school shopping

Back-to-school shopping gets a big discount this weekend.

Photo by Getty Images

As busy back-to-school families are well aware, Texas’ sales-tax-free holiday weekend is around the corner.

That means sales-tax exemptions from August 6-8 on qualified items priced below $100, which saves shoppers $8 on every $100 spent. Examples of qualified items include clothing, face masks, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks.

Those interested can get full details on qualifying items at the Texas Comptroller website.

For COVID-wary shoppers, here’s some good news. Customers can order online, by telephone, by mail, and custom order — with some important guidelines to qualify for tax exemption, according to the Comptroller:

The item is both delivered and paid for by the customer during the exemption period, or the customer orders and pays for the item and the seller accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period ends.
A seller accepts an order when the seller has acted to fill the order for immediate shipment.
An order is filled for immediate shipment regardless of whether the shipment is delayed due to a backlog of orders or because stock is currently unavailable to, or on back order by, the seller.

Importantly, per the Comptroller, these items do not qualify for exemption:

Framed backpacks
Luggage
Briefcases
Athletic, duffle, or gym bags
Computer bags
Purses

“For many families with children who are going back to their school campuses for the first time since the pandemic began, the sales-tax holiday is the perfect opportunity to save money on school supplies and other tax-free items,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar noted in a statement.

Parking Pandemonium

City of Austin to implement paid parking on South Congress Avenue

www.austintexas.gov

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In a bid to address parking availability and turnover issues along one of Austin's most iconic streets, the City of Austin began the process of implementing paid parking along South Congress Avenue on September 11. This is the second time in six months that Austin has seen a parking rate increase in a high-traffic destination.

According to the city's website, sign crews will spend the month of September installing paid parking signs, then focus on converting neighborhood streets. The rollout of the first phase of paid parking is tentatively planned for October.

It is not stated exactly how much the rates will be, but they will likely follow the City's standard pricing structure that also applies to areas like downtown and East Austin: $2 per hour for the first two hours, and more as the parking period grows longer.

"This strategy aims to create more parking space turnover in a high-demand district with more consistent enforcement," the website says.

Additionally, the City says paying for parking will be a "fully digital experience," and there will be no physical pay stations on the street. Visitors will have to download the Park ATX app in order to pay, or send a text to a designated phone number.

Paid parking on South Congress will be enforced from 8 am to midnight Mondays through Saturdays, and on Sundays from 1 pm to midnight.

Residents who live in the South Congress area can continue to park for free, as long as they register their vehicles and use visitor hang tags or daily passes. Once the rollout is complete, residential streets will be open for paid public parking from 8 am to 6 pm Mondays through Saturdays, and on Sundays from 1 pm to 6 pm. Parking is for residents or visitor permit-holders only outside of those hours.

A September 11 Austin Mobility newsletter states that once the paid parking implementation is complete, Austin parking enforcement will issue warnings to drivers parking along South Congress and adjacent streets for the first two weeks before issuing citations.

The city's website says all parking funds collected will be used for "infrastructure improvements" in the area.

KXAN first reported the paid parking signs being installed on September 12, pointing out that the City Council approved this change earlier this year in March 2023.

austin city of austin south congress traffic

shop tax-free

Texas’ tax-free weekend returns with deals for back-to-school shopping

Parking Pandemonium

City of Austin to implement paid parking on South Congress Avenue

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