August 20 through 22, 2010, is the sales tax holiday or tax-free weekend in Texas. The sales tax exemption applies to clothes and shoes that are under $100. Backpacks are also included in the exemption. Students who like to pull their heavy book-load can rest assured that their bags are still covered as long as the bag can be worn on the back. (I wish we’d had wheeled bookbags when I was in school.) Shoppers are allowed to buy up to ten backpacks at a time and still be tax-free.
To help even further anything typically classified as school supplies are included in the sales tax holiday. The stipulation on the school supplies, as with the backpacks, is that they’re to be used by elementary and secondary students, but I don’t know how that is to be enforced.
I love the thought of a holiday from sales tax. Sales tax in the county where I live adds another 8.25% on top of the total purchase. That’s $8.25 for every $100 spent. That’s a gift that really adds up. I appreciate the gift too. The only problem is our cities, counties, and states are hurting right now. California is bankrupt again and issuing IOUs in lieu of paychecks. Counties near mine in Texas are closing libraries and community centers. Cities and counties are cutting back on necessary support services like police and fire personnel. Residents are resisting tax increases because they, rightfully, feel like they’re being taxed enough. So why not collect all the taxes that are available? This isn’t a new tax. This isn’t creating new government jobs for residents to pay for. This is a tax we pay every day. The three-day holiday may feel good to consumers, but I can’t see it helping where it’s most needed. While I’d prefer our government act more fiscally responsible giving its money away, all the while trying to grab it elsewhere, just doesn’t make sense.