From Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9, Texas shoppers will not pay the 6.25 percent sales tax on most clothing, shoes, backpacks and other school supplies priced at $100 or less during the state's annual tax-free shopping weekend. And while online retailers aren't required to participate in the sales tax holiday, the Texas comptroller's office has said that shoppers can expect online purchases that fit the criteria to be exempt from sales tax.
The following University of North Texas faculty members are available to discuss topics related to the tax-free shopping weekend.
Richard Last, director of the digital retail bachelor's degree program in UNT's College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism, is available to discuss the importance of the tax free shopping weekend to retailers, including online retailers.
Last is a past member of the board of directors of the National Retail Federation and is a board chairman emeritus of Shop.org. In addition, he is the founder of JCPenney's website, jcp.com, the former president of JCP Ecommerce L.P., and former director of digital ventures for J.C. Penney Co. Inc. At UNT, he also directs the Global Digital Retailing Research Center. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal and the Dow Jones News Service.
Cell phone: 214-244-1595
Email: richard.last@unt.edu
Paul Goebel, senior director of the UNT Student Money Management Center, is available to discuss the importance of the sales tax holiday to college students and in helping young adults develop smart-financial management skills early, and he can share advice for making the most of the holiday, such as using cash for purchases and shopping on- and off-line to find the best prices.
Goebel is a member of the Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education, the Texas Association of Collegiate Financial Education Professionals and of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. His honors include the AFCPE Financial Counselor of the Year Award, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Excellent Award and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Star Award of Excellence. His past interviews have included broadcast and print media, such as U.S. News and World Report and local news organizations.
Office phone:940-369-7761
Cell phone: 940-597-8105
Email: paul.goebel@unt.edu