It feels like summer just began, but back-to-school shopping season is somehow already upon us. It’s also one of the more exciting times for savvy shoppers: tax-free weekends and holidays!
These sales tax holidays offer a great opportunity to save a little extra cash when purchasing a variety of essential items (even if you don’t have any school-aged kids in your life). Clothing and computers are common items for tax-free eligibility in most states. So, don’t miss your chance to bypass that sneaky state sales tax because it can really add up for those big-ticket items.
In this economy, it feels more important than ever to save where we can, and tax-free weekends help us do just that. Read on to find out if your state is participating in one of these sales tax holidays or if you need to start planning a little road trip to a neighboring state.
Tax-free weekends and holidays by state (2026)
| State | Dates | What’s included |
| Alabama | July 17 at 12:01 a.m. through July 19 | Select clothing, computers, school supplies and textbooks under a certain amount |
| Alaska | Every day, depending on municipality | Everything, because Alaska has no state sales tax |
| Arkansas | August 1 at 12:01 a.m. until August 2 at 11:59 p.m. | Certain electronics, school and art supplies, instructional materials and clothing |
| Connecticut | August 16 through August 22 | Select clothing and footwear under $300 per item |
| Florida | July 20 through August 20 | Clothing, school supplies, computers and learning aids under a certain amount |
| Illinois | August 7 through August 16 | Clothing and footwear under $125 per item, plus school supplies |
| Iowa | August 7 at 12:01 a.m. through August 8 | Clothing and footwear under $100 |
| Maryland | August 9 through August 15 | Apparel and footwear $100 or less and the first $40 of a backpack purchase |
| Massachusetts | August 8 through August 9 | Most retail goods that cost $2,500 or less |
| Mississippi | July 10 at 12:01 a.m. through July 12 | Clothing, footwear and school supplies under $100 per item |
| Missouri | August 7 at 12:01 a.m. through August 9 at midnight | Clothing, footwear, school supplies, graphing calculators, and computers under a certain amount |
| New Mexico | July 31 at 12:01 a.m. through August 2 | Clothing, shoes, computers, tablets and school supplies under a certain amount |
| Ohio | August 7 at 12:00 a.m. through August 9 at 11:59 p.m. | Clothing $75 or less and school supplies $20 or less |
| Oklahoma | August 7 through August 9 | Clothing and footwear under $100 |
| South Carolina | August 7 through August 9 | Clothing, footwear, computers, school supplies, and bed and bath items (no dollar limit) |
| Tennessee | July 31 at 12:01 a.m. through August 2 at 11:59 p.m. | Clothing, footwear, school supplies and computers under certain amounts |
| Texas | August 7 through August 9 | School supplies under $100 and clothing and footwear under $100 |
| Virginia | August 7 at 12:01 a.m. through August 9 at 11:59 p.m. | Clothing and footwear $100 and under, school supplies $20 and under, plus select hurricane-preparedness and eco-friendly products |
| West Virginia | July 31 at 12 a.m. through August 3 at 11:59 p.m. | Clothing, footwear, school supplies and instructional material, laptops, sports equipment and diapers under certain amounts |
What are tax-free weekends and holidays?
During tax-free weekends (or weeks, in some cases), participating states eliminate sales tax on certain items like school supplies and clothing to make back-to-school shopping a little more affordable. This is why they are often referred to as back-to-school sales tax holidays or back-to-school tax-free weekends. However, some states include items that go far beyond the classroom.
Does tax-free weekend only apply to school supplies?
South Carolina includes bed and bath items in their tax-free weekend — which is perfect for students heading off to their college dorms! Also, shoppers in Massachusetts are in for a treat as this state exempts sales tax on nearly all non-commercial purchases for its tax-free holidays!
No matter which participating state you’re in, you’ll pay no sales tax as long as you shop tax-free-eligible items during that state’s tax-free holiday. This is true for both in-store and online retailers! No paperwork or coupon is required. The state sales tax will just be waived at checkout.
Just remember that all states offering tax-free weekends place some restrictions on what you can buy tax-free (or at least put a price cap on how much you can spend before paying tax).
Are major retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart part of tax-free weekends?
Yes, national retailers are required to participate in tax-free weekends in the states where they do business.
- As long as your in-store shopping occurs in-state during a sales tax holiday, you won’t pay state sales tax at retailers like Walmart, Amazon and Target.
- If you’re shopping online, you just need to make sure the shipping and billing address indicate that you’re in the same state that’s hosting the sales tax holiday at that time.
We’ve confirmed that 19 states are holding back-to-school sales tax holidays in 2026, and we’ve compiled all the information you need to know below. Note that some municipalities charge their own local taxes. Those local taxes are not always waived during a sales tax holiday, so check your local statutes before you shop!
When is my tax-free weekend?
The tax-free weekend dates vary by state, but most states host their tax-free shopping events in August, just in time for back-to-school season. In fact, there is a cluster of states that throw sales tax holidays during the first weekend or two of August. That said, a few tax-free shopping weekends take place in July, and a few take place later in August.
Note: Some states, including Alabama, Maryland, Missouri and Texas offer additional tax-free holidays for severe weather preparedness or eco-friendly purchases. However, these typically occur in the spring.
What are the tax-free weekend and holiday dates by state for 2026?
Below you will find a list of all the states hosting back-to-school tax-free weekends this year, as well as the states offering tax-free weeks and weekends at other points of the year.
When is Alabama’s tax-free weekend?
Alabama’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from July 17 at 12:01 a.m. through July 19.
What Alabama items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Alabama’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing ($156 or less per item)
- Computers, software and school computer supplies (single purchase of $1,173 or less)
- School supplies, including art supplies and instructional material ($78 or less per item)
- Textbooks ($47 or less per book)
Note: Aside from computers, the thresholds listed above are per item, not per cart. For example, you can load up your cart with more than $156 of clothing, and it’s all tax-free as long as each item is $156 or less. A laptop or desktop computer package (complete with monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.) is tax-free-eligible if sold in a single purchase for $1,173 or less.
What Alabama items are not tax free?
Some items are restricted, including gaming systems, handbags, helmets, sport clothing and more. Additionally, Alabama municipalities can opt out of the sales tax holidays, and this list shows which municipalities will participate.
When is Alaska’s back-to-school sales tax holiday?
Alaska does not assess a state sales tax rate, but the state constitution allows municipalities to impose a local sales tax. Some municipalities do not have state or local sales tax year-round, so every day is a sales tax holiday!
When is Arkansas’ tax-free weekend?
Arkansas’ back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from Saturday August 1, at 12:01 a.m. until Sunday August 2, at 11:59 p.m.
What Arkansas items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Arkansas’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear under $100 per item
- Accessories (including cosmetics!) under $50 per item
- Select electronic devices (no price limit)
- Select school supplies (no price limit)
- School art supplies (no price limit)
- Diapers under $100 per item
Unlike some other states, diapers are included in Arkansas’ tax-free weekend, so they’re a smart item to stock up on. Also make note: The electronics category has no price restrictions, so Arkansas residents should definitely pick up those big-ticket items like laptops and tablets.
What Arkansas items are not tax free?
The following items are not eligible for tax savings during Arkansas’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. Some items are restricted, including clothing used for sports. Electronics must be “devices commonly used by a student in the course of study,” so no gaming consoles, folks.
When is Connecticut’s tax-free weekend?
Connecticut’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from Sunday, August 16, through Saturday, August 22, 2026.
What Connecticut items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Connecticut’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear under $300 per item
What Connecticut items are not tax free?
The following items are not eligible for tax savings during Connecticut’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.Anything besides clothing and footwear, including some exceptions when it comes to athletic gear, jewelry, handbags and more are not eligible for
Also, no rebates! Even if the rebate would push the price down below $300, that doesn’t count, because you receive that rebate later. However, immediate discounts (like coupons or promo codes) can be used to push the cost of the item below $300, making it tax-free.
When is Florida’s tax-free weekend?
Florida’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from July 20 to August 20. Florida’s hunting, fishing and camping sales tax holiday runs from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31.
What Florida items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing, footwear and accessories ($100 or less per item)
- Most school supplies ($50 or less per item)
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles ($30 or less per item)
- Personal computers and related accessories ($1,500 or less per item)
Florida will also hold a sales tax holiday on hunting, fishing and camping equipment throughout the entire fall season.
When is Illinois’ tax-free weekend?
Illinois’ back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 7 through August 16, 2026.
What Illinois items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Illinois’ back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear under $125 per item
- School supplies
What Illinois items are not tax free?
Illinois’ tax-free event has some exceptions, including clothing that costs $125 or more, sports and recreational equipment, computers, electronics and art supplies.
When is Iowa’s tax-free weekend?
Iowa’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 7 at 12:01 a.m. through August 8
What Iowa items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Iowa’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing or footwear for less than $100 (per item)
What Iowa items are not tax free?
The following items are not eligible for tax savings during Iowa’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. Sports equipment and apparel are still taxable, as they don’t count as clothing, along with several other exceptions.
An important note for BOGO shoppers: If you’re using a buy one, get one free deal, it’s the cost of both items that determines if you get them tax-free. For example, if boots are BOGO free, and the first pair costs $110, you’ll pay tax. You can’t average the cost and say each pair is $55.
When is Maryland’s tax-free weekend?
Maryland’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 9 through August 15
What Maryland items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Maryland’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear that cost $100 or less
- The first $40 of a backpack or bookbag purchase
What Maryland items are not tax free?
The following items are not eligible for tax savings during Maryland’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. Accessory items (except for backpacks) are not included, along with anything else outside of the categories listed above.
When is Massachusetts’ tax-free weekend?
Massachusetts’ back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 8 through August 9.
What Massachusetts items are tax free?
The Massachusetts annual sales tax holiday is always a good one. Most retail goods for personal use priced at $2,500 or less are tax-free. Yes, you read that right. Massachusetts annual sales tax holiday is really just that flexible!
What Massachusetts items are not tax free?
The following items are not eligible for tax savings during Massachusetts’ back-to-school sales tax holiday. Items that are not eligible for tax-free savings include motor vehicles, motorboats, meals, telecommunication services, gas, steam, electricity, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, marijuana and marijuana products. Also, if you spend more than $2,500 per item, you’ll need to pay tax on the whole amount.
When is Mississippi’s tax-free weekend?
Mississippi back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from July 10 at 12:01 a.m. through July 12 at midnight.
What Mississippi items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Mississippi’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear under $100 per item
- School supplies that are under $100 per item
What Mississippi items are not tax free?
You can see the full list of tax-free and taxable items. In Mississippi, layaway does not qualify for the tax-free holiday. Like Alabama, Mississippi also lets municipalities opt out of the sales tax holiday, so make sure yours is participating.
It should be noted that Mississippi will also hold a Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday for purchases of firearms, ammunition, hunting supplies and firearm safety equipment from August 28 through August 30, 2026. Back-to-school items will not be tax-free on these dates.
When is Missouri’s tax-free weekend?
Missouri’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 7 at 12:01 a.m. through August 9 at midnight.
What Missouri items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Missouri’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Any article of clothing or footwear with a taxable value of $100 or less
- School supplies not to exceed $50 per purchase
- Graphing calculators not to exceed $150
- Computer software with a taxable value of $350 or less
- Personal computers and peripheral devices not to exceed $1,500
What Missouri items are not tax free?
Missouri offers a full list of exemptions. Note that headphones are not included in Missouri’s tax-free weekend.
When is New Mexico’s tax-free weekend?
New Mexico’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from July 31 at 12:01 a.m. through August 2, 2026
What New Mexico items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during New Mexico’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing or shoes that are less than $100 per item
- Computers and tablets priced at up to $1,000
- Related computer hardware (monitor, speaker, keyboard, printer, etc.) up to $500 per item
- School supplies that are less than $30 per item
What New Mexico items are not tax free?
Note that retailers are not required to participate in New Mexico’s tax-free weekend, so ask before you shop. Check out a full list of exceptions.
When is Ohio’s tax-free weekend?
Ohio’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 7 at 12:00 a.m. through August 9 at 11:59 p.m.
What Ohio items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Ohio’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing that’s $75 or less
- School supplies and instructional materials that are $20 or less
What Ohio items are not tax free?
Unlike last year, Ohio’s sales tax holiday is now only 3 days instead of 10. Also, the list of eligible items has been restricted.
When is Oklahoma’s tax-free weekend?
Oklahoma’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 7 through August 9, 2026.
What Oklahoma items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Oklahoma’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear under $100.
What Oklahoma items are not tax free?
The following items are not eligible for tax savings during Oklahoma’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. Accessories, athletic footwear and protective gear are excluded.
When is South Carolina’s tax-free weekend?
South Carolina’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 7 through August 9, 2026
What South Carolina items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during South Carolina’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- All clothing and footwear, including athletic shoes
- Computers and technology, including printers and software
- School supplies, including musical instruments, calculators and headphones
- Select bed and bath items, including sheets, pillows, towels and shower curtains
Bonus: The South Carolina Tax-Free weekend is unique in that it has no dollar limits! If the item is eligible, you get it tax-free regardless of the price.
What South Carolina items are not tax free?
Items that fall outside of the list shown above, including digital cameras and smartphones, are not eligible for tax-free status in South Carolina during this week.
When is Tennessee’s tax-free weekend?
Tennessee’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from July 31 at 12:01 a.m. through August 2 at 11:59 p.m.
What Tennessee items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Tennessee’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear that cost $100 or less per item
- School and art supplies that cost $100 or less per item
- Desktop computers, laptops and tablets that cost $1,500 or less per item
What Tennessee items are not tax free?
Sports and recreational equipment and sewing materials are not eligible for the sales tax holiday in Tennessee.
When is Texas’ tax-free weekend?
Texas’ back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 7 through August 9, 2026
What Texas items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Texas’ back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear (less than $100 per item)
- School supplies and backpacks (less than $100 per item)
- Diapers
What Texas items are not tax free?
Certain items are not tax-exempt in Texas, including sporting goods and luggage. Check out the full lists of exempt and taxable clothing items and school supplies.
When is Virginia’s tax-free weekend?
Virginia’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from August 7 at 12:01 a.m. through August 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
What Virginia items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during Virginia’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear for $100 or less per item
- School supplies for $20 or less per item
- Portable generators for $1,000 or less per item
- Gas-powered chainsaws for $350 or less per item
- Other specified hurricane preparedness items for $60 or less per item
- Energy Star and WaterSense products for $2,500 or less
What Virginia items are not tax free?
The following items are not eligible for tax savings during Virginia’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. Items that fall outside the list shown above are not eligible for tax-exempt status.
When is West Virginia’s tax-free weekend?
West Virginia’s back-to-school tax-free holiday runs from July 31 at 12 a.m. through August 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
What West Virginia items are tax free?
The following items are eligible for tax savings during West Virginia’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
- Clothing and footwear for $125 or less per item
- School supplies for $50 or less per item
- School instructional material for $20 or less per item
- Laptops and tablets for $500 or less per item
- Sports equipment for $150 or less per item
- Diapers
What West Virginia items are not tax free?
The following items are not eligible for tax savings during West Virginia’s back-to-school sales tax holiday. These include: cosmetics, fashion accessories, handbags and sports or recreational equipment.
It should also be noted that store discounts and coupons that bring an item’s price below the threshold will qualify the item for tax exemption, but manufacturer’s coupons will not.
Can I shop tax-free weekend online?
Yes! In all states offering sales tax holidays, you can shop online and still be exempt from paying state sales tax on eligible items during the tax-free period.
How does a retailer know you’re shopping in the right state? It boils down to your delivery address. If you’re shipping to a state that is having a tax-free week or weekend and you place your order during that time, your sales tax will automatically disappear in your cart. We tried it during the Texas tax-free weekend when we shopped last year:
Keep the following rules in mind when shopping online during tax-free weekend:
- Complete your purchase and payment during your state’s tax-free weekend. Some states have fine print regarding shopping from sellers in different time zones, so you might miss out if you check out a couple of hours too soon or too late.
- Make sure the retailer you shop online is actively doing business in your state during the tax-free weekend.
- Ensure items you purchase qualify and meet the terms for tax-free status.
- Confirm you live in the participating state (often determined by your shipping/billing address).
Does Amazon participate in tax-free weekend?
On the topic of online shopping, you might be wondering if Amazon allows you to shop tax-free during your state’s tax-free weekend. You’ll be pleased to know, it does! As noted above, you will need to shop during the dates of your state’s tax-free weekend and your delivery address will need to correspond with the state hosting a tax-free weekend.
Do I have to be a state resident to shop during a tax-free weekend?
Nope! Nobody is checking your driver’s license or proof of residency at the register. If your state isn’t offering a tax-free holiday, but a nearby state is, you can fully take advantage. If you’re shopping online, you’ll need to have your order delivered within the state that’s offering the sales tax holiday.
Which states don’t have a tax-free weekend in 2026?
The following states are NOT hosting tax-free weekends in the fall of 2026.
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (The state will offer a Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Sept. 4 to 6, 2026, but it’s important to note that this tax-free weekend is only for firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies. It doesn’t cover school supplies!)
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada (The state will hold a sales tax holiday for purchases made 10/30 to 11/1/2026, but it’s only for active Nevada National Guard members and qualifying relatives.)
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Where should I shop during tax-free weekend?
Since tax-free weekends are often referred to as back-to-school tax-free weekends, we suggest shopping at all the retailers you would normally frequent for school supplies and new clothes for the school year. Beyond Amazon, Target and Walmart, retailers like Kohl’s, Macy’s and Old Navy tend to host major sales and can be visited online or in person.
If you aren’t shopping for school supplies, depending on where you live, now might be the time to make a big computer purchase at Apple or Best Buy or get that coat you’ve been eyeing for fall at Nordstrom.
Tips for making the most out of tax-free weekend
Live in a state that’s offering a sales tax holiday? Follow these tips to shop smart and avoid disappointment at checkout:
1. Make a shopping list
At the end of the day, state sales taxes can be up to 12% (depending on whether local/municipal taxes are included). That translates into up to a $12 discount off a $100 order. As a result, don’t use a tax-free weekend as an excuse to fill up your cart with things you don’t need.
2. Focus on big-ticket items in some states
If your state includes pricey electronics and computers in its tax-free weekend, take full advantage. Even if your state sales tax amounts to just a 7% discount, that’s $70 off a $1,000 laptop.
3. Know which items qualify
Understanding which items qualify for the tax-free discount will eliminate a lot of headaches and unnecessary spending. For example, many states’ tax-free weekend sales take place around back-to-school time, so school supplies and school uniforms may qualify for tax-free status. However, some similar items may not. Some examples include backpacks and sports equipment.
4. Show up early
The smart shoppers in your state know it’s tax-free weekend. That means you’ll want to shop as early as you can to maximize selection. Most states don’t offer tax-free rainchecks, so if an item you want sells out, you’re out of luck.
5. Use RetailMeNot Rewards app + RetailMeNot browser extension
Don’t get so caught up in the excitement of paying no sales tax that you forget to use coupons and promo codes, and claim cash back. In some cases, a coupon code will also knock down the price of an item to within the tax-free threshold (in states that have one).
Regardless, using a coupon and getting a tax-free “discount” lets you stack your savings. Download the RetailMeNot Browser Extension and RetailMeNot Rewards app to ensure you get the most value from every purchase.
If you don’t live in a state that offers a tax-free weekend, cash back provides a flexible way to save on school supplies and other essentials this back-to-school season.
6. Shop tax-free weekend online
Don’t let crowds and the fuss of in-store shopping stop you from saving. All states participating in tax-free weekend 2026 will allow you to shop online for qualifying items.
7. Keep shipping costs in mind
Shipping costs do complicate matters.
- In some states, shipping costs don’t factor into the item’s cost. This means you don’t have to worry about shipping fees bumping your item above the tax-free threshold.
- In other states, the opposite is true and you do have to worry about shipping costs messing with the tax-free status of your item.
- If you have both eligible and ineligible items in your online shopping cart, some states require the retailer to divvy up the shipping costs among all the items, which can get complicated.
Know your state’s policy before you shop and, if things get complicated, consider placing an order with eligible items only.
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