City bracing for tax-free weekend shoppers

Shoppers from far and wide — as well as from right here in town — will be flocking to San Marcos’ two outlet malls this weekend to stock up on back-to-school supplies without having to pay sales tax.

The 19th annual Tax Free Weekend runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday and many shops at Tanger Outlets and Premium Outlets will be open longer hours and have other special deals as well.

Exempt from taxation are most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks that are priced at below $100 — meaning that for every $100 spent, $8 will be saved. Statewide, Comptroller Glen Hegar’s office estimates that shoppers will save an estimated $90.3 million they might otherwise have paid in state and local sales taxes.

“As Texas families begin the process of replacing their beach bags with book bags, Texas’ sales tax holiday is the perfect opportunity to save money on the supplies families need before the school bell rings,” Hegar said. “As a dad to three young children, I know how these expenses can add up.”

To facilitate traffic, the city of San Marcos will once again close the northbound McCarty exit ramp. The ramp will be closed from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11 and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12.

Lighted signs on Interstate 35 will notify motorists of the closed exit ramps.

For a full list of what’s exempt, visit TexasTaxHoliday.org.

For more information on the exit closures, call 512-393-8036.