The sampled-data H∞ filtering for a continuous-time Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy system with an interval time varying state delay is investigated, where the measurement outputs from the plant to the filter are assumed to be sampled at discrete instants with a variable period. Firstly, by means of a newly proposed inequality bounding technique and a new Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, the fuzzy sampled-data H∞ filtering performance analysis is carried out such that the resultant filter error system is asymptotically stable with a prescribed H1 attenuation performance index. Secondly, sufficient conditions on the existence of fuzzy sampled-data H∞ filters are derived in the simultaneous presence of the time-varying state delay and the variable sampling period. The proposed bounding inequality lies in its more tightness and alleviates the enlargement of some inverse “coefficients” resulting from the utilization of the well-known Jensen integral inequality. Compared with some existing Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals, more information about the relationship among the current state and its delayed state is considered. The upper bound of the derivative of the time-varying state delay is not required to be less than one. Different from some existing results in the literature, by applying the proposed results, each different value of such an upper bound (greater than one) leads to a different H∞ disturbance attenuation level. Finally, a numerical example and a modified continuous stirred tank reactor system are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed results.