Socorro ISD parents say early start means they can’t take advantage of Tax Free Weekend

Tax free weekend is here and millions of shoppers in Texas and New Mexico are expected to save in between 5-9 percent on purchases Friday through Sunday.

The sales tax holiday is a perfect opportunity for parents and students to start back to school shopping and save on hundreds of school supplies and clothing.

For a list of non-taxable items and clothing in New Mexico, click here.

For a list of non-taxable items and clothing in Texas, click here.

In El Paso, the Socorro ISD is already in session since classes started August 1, 2016. Some parents with children attending SISD school tell ABC-7 the district’s early start to the school year often means they cannot take advantage of Tax Free Weekend.

Alicia Cordejo is a grandparent of two children in SISD. She told ABC-7 she won’t be shopping this weekend because it is already too late for her.

“The other people can take advantage of it, but we cant,” Cordejo said”If you go to this school district, you get the tax break, but if you go to SISD you can’t. Imagine the kind of savings if we could join in on the tax holiday.”

SISD Spokesman Daniel Escobar said the school district is aware of the situation and does it’s best to accommodate all of the students. There are no immediate plans to delay the start of the school year.

“Our teachers have extra school supplies on hand,” Escobar said. “We also have a school uniform drive to swap out uniforms or get a new one if families can’t afford it. Our schools are flexible and work with the families to help them especially during the first week of school.”

Cordejo disputes that, saying “Our kids have to be wearing their uniforms and have all their schools supplies by the end of the first week of school, and we don’t get to take advantage of that tax break.”

The tax free holiday begins Friday Aug. 5, through Sunday Aug. 7.