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Texas Sales Tax

On this page you will find handy sales and use tax information about Texas.

How to use this page:

We’ve pulled in the information from all our Charts for a consolidated view by state.  Here you can see the sales tax rates and if the state has remote seller nexus rules. You can also see any sales tax holidays or amnesty programs that may exist, though these do not apply to all states.

Below the chart you can find any News & Tip item we have published that relates to Texas that you can filter by topic. This will help you get informed on current and past legislation that has passed in the state.

State Sales Tax Rates
State Rate

6.250%
Range of Local Rates

0% – 2% Some local jurisdictions do not impose a sales tax. Texas has a uniform local tax rate for remote sellers of 1.75%

1.75% local rate for remote sellers, 10-12/19
Local Rates Apply to Use Tax

Yes
Remote Seller Nexus Rules
AFFILIATE NEXUS

1/1/2012
ECONOMIC NEXUS

Effective 1/1/2019 but not enforced until 10/1/2019
MARKETPLACE NEXUS

10/1/2019
Sales Tax Holidays
Annual Severe Weather Holiday

April 22-24, 2023

1. Portable generators – less than $3000 per item
2. Hurricane shutters and emergency ladders – less than $300 per item
3. Other specified emergency preparation supplies – less than $75 per item
Annual Energy Star Holiday

May 27-29, 2023

1. Energy Star-qualified air conditioners priced at $6,000 or less; refrigerators priced at $2,000 or less; ceiling fans; incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs; dishwashers; dehumidifiers; programmable thermostats; and clothes washers
2. Water-saving products that are used or planted for conserving or retaining groundwater; recharging water tables; or decreasing ambient air temperature, and so limiting water evaporation. Examples: soaker/drip-irrigation hose, a moisture control for sprinkler/irrigation system, mulch, rain barrel, permeable ground cover surface, plants, trees and grasses, water-saving surfactants, soil and compost.
Annual Back to School Holiday

August 11-13, 2023

1. Clothing and footwear – less than $100 per item (excluding accessories, athletic or protective clothing, and rentals of clothing or footwear); backpacks used by elementary and secondary students are included
2. Most School Supplies – less than $100 per item
Sales Tax Amnesty
Status

Inactive

Amnesty Filing Dates

May 1, 2018 - June 29, 2018

Go to Texas Amnesty Page
AMNESTY INCLUSION PERIODS

Periods prior to January 1, 2018.

TAX TYPES AND CONDITIONS

Various Texas state taxes. Does not apply to periods currently under audit review, IFTA taxes, PUC Gross Receipts assessments, Local Motor Vehicle Tax and Unclaimed Property payments.
AMNESTY BENEFITS

Waiver of penalties and interest.

Status

Inactive

Amnesty Filing Dates

June 12, 2012 - August 17, 2012

Go to Texas Amnesty Page
AMNESTY INCLUSION PERIODS

Reports originally due before April 1, 2012 are eligible.

TAX TYPES AND CONDITIONS

Business sales tax, franchise tax, and other state and local taxes and fees administered by the Comptroller’s office, with the exception of Public Utility Commission gross receipts assessments. The amnesty does not apply to filing periods under audit or identified for an audit.
AMNESTY BENEFITS

Waiver of penalties and interest.

Administration Information
Streamlined Sales Tax Status

Advisory State
NUMBER OF TAXING AUTHORITIES

1,594 Sales Tax Jurisdictions

HOME RULE AUTHORITIES

N/A
Sales Tax Sourcing (Intrastate)

Origin
Sales Tax Return Due Date

The 20th of the month following the reporting period
Exemption Information
RESALE CERTIFICATE

Texas Resale Certificate
TYPES OF EXEMPTIONS

Product types of exemptions: manufacturing, new construction labor, qualified research, data centers, industry (agricultural and timber), necessities to life (food and beverage, health-related)

 

Entity types of exemptions: religious & charitable, homeowners association, educational, government, volunteer fire departments, federal & others

 

Texas Exemption Certificate Forms
State Links
State Tax Web Page

Texas Comptroller
Rate Look-Up Page

Texas Sales Tax Rate Look-Up
Registration Link

Register for Texas Sales Tax
History & Fun Facts
HISTORY

  • The first state-wide sales tax went into effect on September 1, 1961 at a rate of 2 percent. The tax replaced miscellaneous excise taxes.
  • Texas enacted legislation in 2001 to authorize the Comptroller to enter and participate in the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. However, the state has not yet made the necessary changes to its laws to be fully compliant with SST.
FUN FACTS
  • During the state’s annual back to school sales tax holiday, belts are exempt from sales tax, but belt buckles are not. Cowboy boots, however, are exempt from sales tax during the holiday.

Texas Comptroller Explains Remote Seller, Marketplace Tax Policies

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has offered new guidance and answers to FAQs for marketplace sellers and marketplace provides.

State Notices & Resources for Remote Sellers

Use this state by state guide to find each state\’s initial guidance on how to proceed post-Wayfair, state resources such as FAQs, and any state activity such as going through a legislative process that impacts remote sellers.

Economic Nexus State by State Chart

Key information such as effective dates, thresholds, and includable sales for out-of-state sellers making sales into states that have enacted economic nexus legislation both before and after the South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision.

Three Years of South Dakota v. Wayfair: Local Tax Issues

Learn why managing local taxes is such a large challenge for taxpayers post-Wayfair and about local efforts to simplify compliance. This is part 4 of our 5 part series on three years of the Wayfair decision.

Texas Issues FAQs for Remote Sellers and Marketplace Providers and Sellers

The Texas Comptroller has posted FAQs on its website regarding post-Wayfair obligations for remote sellers, marketplace sellers, and marketplace providers.

Texas Amends Rules for Remote Sellers to Establish Economic Nexus

Starting October 1, 2019, remote sellers with sales exceeding $500,000 in total Texas revenue must register to collect and remit tax.

Sales Tax Nuances of Trade Show Attendance

Trade show attendance in another state can create physical nexus and trigger sales tax obligations. Learn key nuances of trade show rules across the states.

Texas Adopts Economic Nexus Provisions for Franchise Tax

Texas has amended a tax regulation to apply the state’s economic nexus threshold to Texas franchise tax, beginning January 1, 2020.

The Southern States’ Reaction to SD v. Wayfair; A Summary

Post-Wayfair, significant sales tax legislative changes have happened on a daily basis, and the Southern states are no exception. We’ve seen a flurry of sales tax legislative activity recently regarding changes for remote sellers making sales into Southern states. If…

Texas Enacts Marketplace Nexus Legislation

Texas has enacted legislation with marketplace nexus provisions, effective October 1, 2019.

Texas Authorizes State Comptroller to Establish Uniform Local Tax Rate for Remote Sellers

Texas has enacted legislation that authorizes the state comptroller to establish a single uniform tax rate for remote sellers to collect and remit local sales and use taxes.

House Introduces Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2018

On September 13, 2018, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and additional U.S. House members introduced the Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2018.

Remote Seller Resources

Comprehensive list of resources for remote sellers following the South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision – including state notices, videos, articles, training opportunities, and more.

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Decision In South Dakota v. Wayfair

On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in the South Dakota v. Wayfair case, ruling in favor of South Dakota and overturning Quill’s physical presence rule.

South Dakota v. Wayfair Analysis & Predictions: Sales Tax Experts Weigh-In

Sales tax experts lend their insight into and predictions for one of the most important U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding sales tax in decades, South Dakota v. Wayfair.

Record Number of Sellers Participate in 2017 MTC Amnesty Program

The volume of applicants for the 2017 online marketplace seller tax amnesty program overwhelmed the Multistate Tax Commission.

Multistate Tax Commission Announces Tax Amnesty Program for Online Sellers

The MTC organized a tax amnesty program for online sellers, running from August 17 to November 1, 2017. The voluntary disclosure program allowed sellers to start remitting sales tax on future sales without penalty or liability for unpaid, prior accumulated sales tax in 25 participating states.

No Regulation Without Representation Act of 2017 Introduced

Under the proposed House bill, a state may tax or regulate a person’s activity in interstate commerce only when the person is physically present in the state during the period in which the tax or regulation is imposed.

Congress Introduces Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017 and Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2017

Introduced on April 27, 2017, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017, if enacted, would authorize states meeting certain requirements to require remote sellers that do not meet a small seller exception to collect their state and local sales and use taxes.

Online Sales Simplification Act of 2016 Discussion Draft is Introduced

The proposed legislation would implement a “hybrid origin” approach for remote sales. States could impose sales tax on remote sales if the origin state participates in a clearinghouse.

No Regulation Without Representation Act of 2016 Introduced

Taking the opposite approach of the Marketplace Fairness Act and Remote Transactions Parity Act, the proposed bill would limit the ability of states to require remote sellers to collect use tax. However, the bill failed to pass.

House Introduces Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015

U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015 on 06/15/15. More…

Out-of-State Software Vendor’s Sales Create Nexus in Texas

Licensed software and digital content sales to Texas users by a Utah company through the Internet established substantial nexus. More…

Senate Introduces Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015

On March 10, 2015, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015.