Looking to save even more on your back-to-school shopping? A sales tax holiday can be one of the best ways to stretch your budget.
Many states offer a tax-free shopping weekend—or even an entire tax-free week—allowing families to purchase qualifying school items without paying state sales tax. Depending on where you live, you may be able to save on school uniforms, clothing, shoes, backpacks, school supplies, calculators, laptops, and other classroom essentials.
To make planning easier, I've compiled every 2026 back-to-school sales tax holiday below. States are listed in alphabetical order along with the exact dates, eligible products, and spending limits.
Shopping Tip: Popular back-to-school items often sell out before tax-free weekends begin. If your favorite retailer offers price matching or price adjustments, you may be able to combine sale prices with your state's tax holiday for even bigger savings.
Alabama
Tax Holiday: July 17–19, 2026
Books priced $30 or less
Clothing priced $100 or less
Computers, computer software, and school computer supplies priced $750 or less
School supplies priced $50 or less
Arkansas
Tax Holiday: August 1–2, 2026
Clothing priced under $100
Clothing accessories and equipment priced under $50
Student electronic devices (no price limit)
School supplies and instructional materials (no price limit)
Applies to both state and local sales tax
Connecticut
Tax Holiday: August 16–22, 2026
Clothing, footwear, and backpacks priced under $300
Florida
Tax Holiday: August 1–31, 2026
Clothing, footwear, wallets, and qualifying bags priced $100 or less
School supplies priced $50 or less
Learning aids and puzzles priced $30 or less
Personal computers and related accessories priced $1,500 or less
Iowa
Tax Holiday: August 7–8, 2026
Clothing and footwear priced under $100
Maryland
Tax Holiday: August 9–15, 2026
Clothing and footwear priced $100 or less
The first $40 of qualifying backpacks and bookbags is tax free
Massachusetts
Tax Holiday: August 8–9, 2026
Most retail items for personal use priced $2,500 or less
Mississippi
Tax Holiday: July 10–12, 2026
Clothing and footwear priced under $100
Qualifying school supplies priced under $100
Missouri
Tax Holiday: August 7–9, 2026
Clothing priced $100 or less
Personal computers and peripherals priced $1,500 or less
Computer software priced $350 or less
Graphing calculators priced $150 or less
School supplies priced $50 or less
New Mexico
Tax Holiday: July 31–August 2, 2026
Clothing, footwear, and accessories priced under $100
Backpacks and bookbags priced under $100
Computers priced up to $1,000
Computer accessories priced up to $500
Handheld calculators priced under $200
School supplies priced under $30
Ohio
Tax Holiday: August 7–9, 2026
Clothing priced $75 or less
School instructional materials priced $20 or less
School supplies priced $20 or less
Oklahoma
Tax Holiday: August 7–9, 2026
Clothing and footwear priced under $100
Puerto Rico
Tax Holidays: January 2–3, 2026 and July 12–13, 2026
School uniforms
School supplies
Qualifying instructional materials
South Carolina
Tax Holiday: August 7–9, 2026
Clothing
School supplies
Computers
Backpacks
Bedding and dorm room essentials
Most qualifying items have no price limit
Tennessee
Tax Holiday: July 31–August 2, 2026
Clothing
School supplies
Computers
Price limits apply
Texas
Tax Holiday: August 7–9, 2026
Clothing and footwear priced under $100
School backpacks priced under $100
Eligible school supplies priced under $100
Virginia
Tax Holiday: August 7–9, 2026
Clothing and footwear priced $100 or less
School supplies priced $20 or less
West Virginia
Tax Holiday: July 31–August 3, 2026
Clothing and footwear priced $125 or less
Laptops and tablets priced $500 or less
School instructional materials priced $20 or less
School supplies priced $50 or less
Sports equipment priced $150 or less
Before You Shop
✔ Check your state's list of qualifying items before heading to the store.
✔ Many online purchases also qualify for the sales tax holiday if the order meets your state's requirements.
✔ Price limits generally apply per item, not your total purchase.
✔ Combine tax-free shopping with retailer coupons, clearance sales, cashback offers, and rewards programs to maximize your savings.
Source: Avalara, 2026 Sales Tax Holidays Guide. Tax holiday dates and qualifying items are subject to change. Always verify details with your state's Department of Revenue before shopping.
No comments:
Post a Comment