Tax-free weekend: what are the dates for each state and what products are included?

Tax-free weekends are periods that usually last a few days, during which participating states exempt certain categories of items from state sales tax. These “tax holidays,” as they are also called, are usually scheduled at the end of summer, before the start of the school year, to help families save money on essential purchases such as school supplies, clothing, and electronic devices like computers. In some states, it focuses on disaster preparedness with products such as hurricane supplies or outdoor equipment such as firearms or hunting gear.

To qualify for the “discount,” items must fall within a price limit set by the state. In some states, such as Connecticut, there is no limit. Similarly, each state has its own rules and eligible items, and some may include local tax exemptions, while others may apply municipal or county sales taxes, even if the state portion is exempt.

The tax exemption is automatically applied by retailers at the time of payment, so shoppers do not need to fill out any forms.

It is important to note that if the cap is $100 for clothing, each individual item must cost $100 or less to qualify for the benefit; for instance, if you buy a pair of shoes that cost $125 and the limit is also $100, you will probably have to pay tax on that item. It is also a good idea to check the website of each state’s tax department, as there may be exceptions. In New Mexico, for example, clothing in general is exempt, but sports uniforms and swimwear are not, so tax does apply to them.

Below is a list of states that hold tax-free weekends and the maximum cost per item that applies.

Alabama

July 18–20

• Clothing: $100
• Computers: $750
• School supplies: $50
• Books: $30

Arkansas

August 2–3

• Clothing and footwear: less than $100
• Accessories: less than $50
• School supplies: no maximum limit

Connecticut

August 17-23

• Clothing and footwear: less than $100

Florida

August 1-31

• School supplies: $50
• Clothing, footwear, and accessories: $100
• Computers and accessories: $1,500
• Educational materials and puzzles: $30

September 8–December 31

• Tools: maximums vary

Iowa

August 1–2

• Clothing and footwear: less than $100

Maryland

August 10–16

• Clothing and footwear: $100
• Backpacks: first $40

Massachusetts

August 9–10

• All retail items for personal use (except vehicles, food, alcohol, gas, tobacco, marijuana, and other utilities): $2,500

Mississippi

July 11–13

• Clothing and footwear: less than $100
• Selected school supplies: less than $100

August 29–31

• Firearms, ammunition, and hunting supplies: no maximum limit

Missouri

August 1–3

• Clothing: $100
• School supplies: $50
• Computers and peripherals: $1,500
• Computer software: $350
• Graphing calculators: $150

Nevada

October 31–November 2

• Purchases made by members of the National Guard or eligible family members: no maximum limit.

New Mexico

July 25–27

• Clothing: less than $100
• Computers: $1,000
• Computer equipment: $500
• Certain school supplies: less than $30

Ohio

August 1–14

• All tangible personal property (with exceptions): $500

Oklahoma

August 1–3

• Clothing and footwear: less than $100

South Carolina

August 1-3

• Computers, school supplies, clothing: no maximum limit

Tennessee

July 25–27

• Clothing: $100
• School supplies: $100
• Computers and tablets: $1,500

Texas

August 8–10

• Clothing, backpacks, school supplies: less than $100

Virginia

August 1–3

• Clothing: $100
• School supplies: $20
• Energy Star and WaterSense products: $2,500
• Hurricane preparedness items: $60
• Generators: $1,000

West Virginia

August 1-4

• Clothing: $125
• School supplies: $50
• School instructional materials: $20
• Sports equipment: $150
• Computers and tablets: $500