August 2026 Insights

Welcome to your August 2026 edition of Verus Insights. This month: making the most of the Texas Tax-Free Weekend, a plain-English look at the new Section 530A “Trump Accounts” for kids, a creamy one-pot jambalaya pasta recipe, and the next chapter of Cyndi’s entrepreneurial journey.

Mark your calendar — August

• August — Back to School Month
• August 7–9 — Texas Tax-Free Weekend
• August 15 — Relaxation Day
• August 21 — Senior Citizen’s Day
• August 26 — Women’s Equality Day

Take Advantage of Texas Tax-Free Weekend

Back-to-school shopping just got a little more affordable! Texas’ Sales Tax Holiday runs Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9, 2026, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain qualifying items tax-free.

Eligible purchases include:

• Clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item
• Backpacks priced under $100
• Many school supplies such as notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, crayons, and paper

This annual tax holiday is a great way for families to stretch their budgets while preparing for the new school year. Since Texas sales tax can be as high as 8.25% (including local taxes), the savings can add up quickly.

Texas isn’t the only state offering a sales tax holiday. Several states — including Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Ohio, and others — offer similar events, although dates and qualifying items vary by state.

For a complete list of qualifying Texas items, visit the Texas Comptroller’s Sales Tax Holiday page. To see whether your state offers a sales tax holiday and when it occurs, visit the Sales Tax Institute — State Sales Tax Holiday Guide.

Understanding Trump Accounts (Section 530A)

July 4th brought the launch of 530A accounts, also called “Trump Accounts” in some circles. They came out of the One Big Beautiful Bill and are designed as a tax-advantaged savings option for kids. We pulled together the main points from The Mather Group’s overview so you can see what’s involved.

These are investment accounts for children under 18 with a Social Security number. They work somewhat like custodial IRAs but have their own rules. Contributions come in after-tax dollars. No earned income is needed from the child. The child owns the account, with a parent or guardian as custodian until age 18, when it converts to a traditional IRA. Family, friends, employers, and others can contribute.

One feature is that employers may put in up to $2,500 a year through a Section 125 cafeteria plan. Those contributions can be pre-tax for the employee.

There are also certain seed contributions. Children born from 2025 through 2028 may qualify for a $1,000 federal amount. Some younger children in qualifying areas could get $250 from the Dell Foundation, though that’s limited to the first 25 million activated accounts.

Annual contributions are capped at $5,000 total from all sources. Withdrawals are taxable, and there are restrictions on access before age 18. At 18, the child gets full control. Funds can go toward retirement, college (penalty-free but taxable), or a first-home purchase under certain rules. Kiddie tax may apply in some situations, and state tax treatment varies.

Compared to other options like 529 plans, 530A accounts have lower contribution limits but potentially broader uses beyond education. They differ in control, tax handling on withdrawals, and flexibility. Which one fits depends on a family’s specific goals, timeline, and situation.

Opening and activating involves IRS Form 4547 and participating custodians, plus official channels for activation. Details on process and verification are available through the right sources.

That’s the core setup. Rules around contributions, taxes, and access have real limits and trade-offs. Families usually run their own numbers and check with tax or financial professionals for how it lines up with everything else they’re doing. Read the full article from The Mather Group for more specifics.

Recipe: Creamy One-Pot Jambalaya Pasta

Prep time: 5 minutes  ·  Cook time: 25 minutes  ·  Total time: 30 minutes  ·  Serves: 5

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning
• 1 (12-ounce) package smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1/2 white onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sprinkle with the Creole seasoning. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage has browned and the chicken is no longer pink on the outside. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat to a bowl — leaving the grease in the pan. Set aside.

Add the onions and peppers and cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and canned tomatoes with the juice. Stir to combine. Break the pasta in half and add it into the pan, pressing it into the liquid. Add the chicken and sausage back to the pan on top of the pasta. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

Uncover, stir, and replace the lid. Cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the heavy cream. Pour it into the pasta and stir to combine. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Add additional Creole seasoning to taste. Allow to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Full recipe and nutrition info at Southern Bite.

Cyndi: The Second Entrepreneurial Chapter

In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Cyndi to talk about the second chapter of her entrepreneurial journey. Listen to the episode on Spotify.

This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Please consult your financial, tax, and legal professionals regarding your individual circumstances before making financial decisions.