Aug. 20--HARLINGEN — Consumers preparing for the first day of school can breathe easier this weekend during the annual sales tax holiday.

Starting Friday, shoppers can purchase most clothing, footwear and school supplies priced less than $100 without paying about 8 percent in sales tax.

That means shoppers will save about $8 for every $100 spent.

The Texas Legislature expanded the list of items that qualify for sales tax exemption with a bill signed by Gov. Rick Perry on June 19.

Eligible items range from binders, paper and backpacks to diapers, pants and shoes.

Until this year, consumers only received the tax exemption on clothing. But a bill passed this year added school supplies.

The sale officially begins Friday at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday at midnight.

Exemption certificates are not required unless the purchaser uses a business account, according to the state Comptroller's Office. In that case, the retailer must obtain an exemption certificate from the purchaser that proves the purchase is for an elementary or secondary school student.

A business account includes any purchase with a business credit card or business check.

Consumers can apply for a sales tax exemption with a form on the Comptroller's Web site. The sheet needs to be filled out and mailed to the comptroller's office, according to its Web site.

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Copyright (c) 2009, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas

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