Holiday Tax Free Weekend is back and It’s officially back-to-school shopping season. There is a way to cut costs on electronics and school supplies, even though you might not be thrilled about shelling out a lot of cash for them: buy them on the weekend when your state is having a sales tax holiday.
What is the Holiday Tax Free Weekend?
A sales tax holiday is a time when some things are not subject to sales tax. It is also sometimes called a tax-free weekend or week. In many places, tax holidays happen at the same time as back-to-school shopping in the summer. Typically, items such as computers, clothing, school supplies, and other accessories are exempt from sales tax during these holidays, though there may be some exceptions.
This year, 16 US states are offering tax-free weekends in July and August to help reduce back-to-school shopping costs. These holidays allow you to save on everyday items like clothing and school supplies, as well as pricier items like laptops. It’s important to check your state’s specific tax laws and exemptions, as each state has its own rules.
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Sales tax holidays are most popular on the first weekend in August; nine states grant exemptions at this time. August is sales tax holiday in fourteen states overall.
The states that will lower sales taxes in 2024 for back-to-school supplies are listed below:
Alabama (July 19-21, 2024):
- Most clothing under $100, including pants, shirts, shoes, coats, and school uniforms, as well as diapers.
- Computers under $750.
- School supplies costing less than $50 per item.
- Books under $30.
Arkansas (Aug. 3-4, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item.
- Clothing accessories and equipment: $50 or less per item.
- School supplies, computers, and electronics.
Connecticut (Aug. 18-24, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item, excluding athletic gear and uniforms.
Florida (July 29-Aug. 11, 2024):
- Clothing, accessories, and shoes less than $100.
- School supplies less than $50 per item.
- Learning aids less than $30 per item.
- Personal computers and computer accessories under $1,500.
Iowa (Aug. 2-3, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item, excluding some accessories and sporting equipment.
Maryland (Aug. 11-17, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item.
- Backpacks: Tax-free for the first $40.
Massachusetts (Aug. 10-11, 2024):
- All retail items purchased for personal use for $2,500 or less.
- Excluded items include meals, cars, boats, trucks, gasoline, cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol.
Mississippi (July 26-27, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item.
- School supplies: $100 or less per item.
Missouri (Aug. 2-4, 2024):
- Clothing: $100 or less per item.
- School supplies: $50 or less per item.
- Computer software: $350 or less per item.
- Personal computers and peripherals: $1,500 or less per item.
- Graphing calculators: $150 or less per item.
New Mexico (Aug. 2-4, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item.
- Computers: $1,000 or less per item.
- Computer peripherals like monitors or keyboards: $500 or less per item.
- School supplies: $30 or less per item.
Ohio (July 30-Aug. 8, 2024):
- All retail items purchased for $500 or less.
- Excluded items include cars, boats, trucks, cigarettes, vapor products, marijuana, alcohol, and select services.
Oklahoma (Aug. 2-4, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item, excluding athletic gear and uniforms.
South Carolina (Aug. 2-4, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes, including school or athletic uniforms.
- School supplies, art supplies, and musical instruments.
- Bedding, pillows, and blankets.
- Computers, headphones, and flash drives.
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Tennessee (July 26-28, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item, excluding handbags, jewelry, and sports gear.
- School and art supplies: $100 or less per item.
- Laptops, tablets, and computers: $1,500 or less per item.
Texas (Aug. 9-11, 2024):
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item.
- School supplies: $100 or less per item.
- Backpacks: $100 or less.
West Virginia (Aug. 2-4, 2024):
- Clothing: $125 or less per item.
- Certain school supplies: $50 or less per item.
- School books and instructional materials: $20 or less per item.
- Laptop and tablets: $500 or less per item.
- Sports equipment: $150 or less per item.
