Sales tax holiday set for Aug. 7-9
Texas shoppers will get a break from sales taxes on back‑to‑school essentials during the state’s annual sales tax holiday, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9.
The three‑day event exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100 from state and local sales taxes, a savings of up to 8.25 percent depending on the local rate.
The holiday was permanently set to the first Friday in August beginning in 2026, following legislation that standardized the dates. That means families can now plan around a predictable weekend each year.
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock said the holiday is designed to ease the burden on families while supporting local businesses.
“This weekend is about helping Texas families stretch their dollars while keeping their back‑to‑school shopping local,” Hancock said in the comptroller’s announcement.
What qualifies?
The following items qualify for the annual tax holiday:
– Clothing and footwear under $100 per item.
– School supplies such as binders, calculators, crayons, notebooks and scissors.
– Backpacks under $100, including those with wheels if wearable on the back.
– Cloth and disposable face masks are also exempt, as they meet the definition of clothing.
There is no limit on the number of qualifying items a shopper can buy. For example, two shirts at $80 each both qualify, even though the total purchase is $160.
What doesn’t qualify
The following items are excluded from the tax holiday:
– Clothing or footwear priced at $100 or more.
– Athletic or protective gear such as football pads or golf cleats.
– Jewelry, handbags, purses, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches and other accessories.
– Computers, software and textbooks.
Online and layaway purchases
The exemption applies to purchases made in‑store, online, by mail or by phone, as long as the transaction is completed during the holiday. Layaway items also qualify if placed on layaway or paid off during the weekend.
With many Texas districts starting classes the following week, the tax holiday offers families one last chance to stock up on supplies without paying sales tax.
The comptroller’s office estimates shoppers save about $8 for every $100 spent, a meaningful discount for households preparing for the school year.
South Belt students to return to school
South Belt students will return to class next week, as both Pasadena ISD and Clear Creek ISD open the 2026-2027 school year, with each local district launching new virtual learning opportunities.
Start dates, times and holidays
Pasadena ISD: Students begin classes Thursday, Aug. 13, with freshman orientation set for Aug. 12.
Clear Creek ISD: Pre‑K, kindergarten, sixth‑grade and ninth‑grade students will start classes Tuesday, Aug. 11, while all other grades start Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Clear Creek ISD bell times are as follows:
– High schools: 7:10 a.m. – 2:35 p.m.
– Intermediate: 8:40 a.m. – 4:05 p.m.
– Elementary: 7:55 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.
PISD start times vary by school and should be confirmed through the individual campus.
Both school districts share similar holiday schedules, including Thanksgiving week, winter break and spring break.
Pasadena ISD calendar highlights include the following key dates:
– Fall break: Oct. 9 – 13
– Thanksgiving: Nov. 23 – 27;
– Winter break: Dec. 21 – Jan. 1
– Spring break: Mar. 8 – 12
– Last day: May 21 (early dismissal).
Clear Creek ISD calendar highlights include the following key dates:
– Fall break: Oct. 9 – 12
– Thanksgiving: Nov. 23 – 27;
– Winter break: Dec. 21 – Jan. 1
– Spring break: Mar. 8 – 12
– Last day: May 20 (early dismissal).
To view Clear Creek ISD’s 2026-2027 Back-to-School Guide, visit www.ccisd.net/backtoschool.
Virtual learning
Both school districts are expanding their virtual leaning programs, with each one launching new options for students. Pasadena ISD is debuting its FLEx Virtual High School, while Clear Creek ISD is rolling out Clear Tech, a first‑year partnership with Texas Tech University.
Pasadena ISD’s FLEx Virtual High School: Pasadena ISD is launching FLEx Virtual High School, a tuition‑free, full‑time online campus for grades 9 – 12. Powered by Pasadena Virtual School’s two decades of online instruction, FLEx offers Texas‑certified teachers, Advanced Placement and dual‑credit courses, NCAA‑approved core classes, career pathways and virtual clubs. Students may enroll full time or part time, and home-schooled students are eligible.
PISD Superintendent Dr. Toni Lopez praised the flexibility of the program.
“FLEx is about giving families flexibility and expanding opportunities,” said Lopez. “Students will experience the Pasadena ISD tradition of excellence in a format that meets their unique needs.”
For more information on Pasadena ISD’s FLEx Virtual High School, visit https://virtualschool.pasadenaisd.org or call 713‑740‑0899.
Clear Creek ISD’s Clear Tech Virtual Program: Clear Creek ISD is introducing Clear Tech, a new virtual program in partnership with Texas Tech University’s Texas Tech K‑12. The 2026–27 school year marks its first year of operation, offering tuition‑free, full‑time online instruction for grades K–9, with high school expansion planned for 2027–28.
Students complete asynchronous, TEKS‑aligned coursework through Texas Tech K‑12 while remaining enrolled in CCISD, giving them access to district resources, counseling, technology tools and extracurricular activities.
The only one of its kind in the Houston area, Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Engle called the program “groundbreaking.”
“This virtual education brings together two world‑class educational institutions to offer students a rigorous academic program with the added benefits of in‑person support and enrichment opportunities,” said Engle.
For more information on CCISD’s Clear Tech Virtual Program, visit
www.cleartech.ccisd.net.
Early College High School
Both Pasadena ISD and Clear Creek ISD maintain strong partnerships with San Jacinto College through Early College High School (ECHS) and dual‑credit programs. These initiatives allow students to earn significant college credit – and in many cases, an associate degree by the time they graduate high school.
Pasadena ISD: PISD operates multiple ECHS campuses tied to San Jacinto College, with students being zoned in the following manner:
– South Houston and J. Frank Dobie Early Colleges attend classes at San Jacinto South campus.
– Pasadena High, Sam Rayburn, and Pasadena Memorial Early Colleges attend classes at San Jacinto Central campus.
Transportation is provided, and students remain eligible for extracurriculars at their home campuses.
For information on Pasadena ISD’s Early College High School program, visit www.pasadenaisd.org/echs.
Clear Creek ISD: CCISD students participate in Clear Horizons Early College High School, located at San Jacinto College South. The program allows CCISD students to graduate with a diploma and up to 60 hours of college credit or an associate degree.
Clear Creek ISD has also expanded dual‑credit opportunities with San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland, offering career‑focused courses in fields such as welding, process technology and cosmetology.
For more information on CCISD’s Clear Horizons Early College High School, visit https://chechs.ccisd.net.
Open enrollment
Pasadena ISD continues its open enrollment policy, allowing students from outside district boundaries to attend PISD campuses. Current PISD families may request transfers to campuses other than the one they are zoned to. Applications are processed through the district’s ScribChoice portal, with approvals based on space and student records.
For more information on Pasadena ISD’s open enrollment, visit www.pasadenaisd.org/open-enrollment.
Clear Creek ISD, by contrast, maintains strict attendance boundaries and does not offer open enrollment. Families must attend the campus to which they are zoned.
Free and reduced meals
Pasadena ISD: All PISD students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch, thanks to the district’s participation in the Community Eligibility Provision. This federal program allows schools in qualifying areas to serve meals at no cost to all enrolled students, without requiring individual applications.
Clear Creek ISD: CCISD families must still apply for free or reduced meals through SchoolCafé, which also manages menus and payments. For more information on Clear Creek ISD’s SchoolCafé, visit www.schoolcafe.com/CLEARCREEKISD.
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