Eighteen states are offering sales tax holidays in July and August, providing relief for families preparing for the back-to-school season. These events allow shoppers to purchase specific items without paying state sales tax, with savings potentially reaching up to $2,500 in some areas.
These tax-free periods vary by state and typically cover clothing, footwear, school supplies, and sometimes electronics. However, the specific items and price limits differ.
State-Specific Tax Holidays
Mongst the states participating, Mississippi began its tax-free holiday from July 10-12, exempting eligible clothing, footwear, and school supplies priced under $100 per item. Alabama's event, from July 17-19, offered tax exemptions on certain school supplies, computers, and clothing, with specific price caps for each category.
Florida's holiday runs from July 20 through August 20, allowing tax-free purchases of personal computers and accessories under $1,500, wallets and bags under $100, school supplies under $50, learning aids and puzzles under $30, and clothing and footwear under $100.
New Mexico's tax-free period is scheduled for July 31 to August 2, covering clothing and footwear up to $100, computers and tablets up to $1,000, computer equipment up to $500, and school supplies up to $30.
Tennessee and West Virginia both hold their tax events from July 31 to August 2 and July 31 to August 3, respectively. Tennessee exempts clothing and school supplies under $100 per item and computers under $1,500. West Virginia offers exemptions on clothing up to $125, laptops and tablets up to $500, school instruction materials up to $20, school supplies up to $50, and sports equipment up to $150.
Arkansas's holiday, from August 1-2, includes clothing and footwear up to $100, accessories and equipment up to $50, and an uncapped exemption on school supplies, art supplies, and instructional materials.
Virginia and Texas will hold their three-day tax holidays from August 7-9. Virginia includes school supplies under $20, clothing and footwear under $100, and Energy Star or WaterSense products up to $2,500. Texas offers savings on clothing, backpacks, and school supplies for items $100 or less.
South Carolina's event also runs from August 7-9, with no maximum cap on eligible clothing, accessories, shoes, school supplies, backpacks, and computers. Oklahoma's holiday, during the same dates, exempts sales tax on specific clothing and footwear items under $100.
Ohio's tax-free period from August 7-9 covers clothing items priced at $75 or less, and school supplies and instructional materials at $20 or less.
Iowa's two-day event on August 7-8 exempts taxes on eligible clothing and footwear under $100 per item. Missouri's holiday from August 7-9 covers clothing up to $100, school supplies up to $50, computers up to $1,500, software up to $350, and graphing calculators up to $150.
Massachusetts is offering a broader sales tax holiday on August 8-9, applicable to eligible retail items with potential savings up to $2,500, though certain items like vehicles and food are excluded.
Maryland's holiday runs from August 9-15, with exemptions on apparel and footwear under $100, and the first $40 of backpack purchases. Connecticut's week-long event from August 16-22 covers clothing, shoes, and backpacks on items up to $300.
Illinois will not have a fully tax-free holiday but will offer a reduced sales tax rate of 1.25% on qualifying clothing and school supplies from August 7-16.
Some states, such as Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon, do not have a statewide sales tax but may still impose local taxes or fees. Vermont offers year-round exemptions on clothing and footwear.