Buy this weekend
Annual sales tax holiday begins tomorrow

Pocketbooks of parents with children in school will get a break this weekend with the annual sales tax holiday. The sales tax-free weekend starts tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 17, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 19.

Backpacks have been added to the list of tax-free items. During the sales tax holiday, children's and adults' clothing and shoes priced less than $100 - and now backpacks that cost less than $100 - are exempt from state and local sales taxes.

"The Legislature responded to parents ' requests to add backpacks to the list of tax-exempt items," State Comptroller Susan Combs said. "Backpacks can be expensive, especially for parents who have to buy them for several children. A tax break helps."

The Comptroller predicts families will save about $52.1 million in sales taxes during the August sales tax holiday.

Since many school districts are now starting their school year later, the 80th Legislature changed the date of the sales tax holiday to move it closer to the first day of school.

More information about the August sales tax holiday for clothing and shoes can be found on the Comptroller 's Web site at www.window. state.tx.us.