Kate Schubel
This list includes every back-to-school sales tax holiday this summer, from July 19, 2024, through the end of August. Rules for tax-free shopping can vary from state to state. So, just because something is tax-exempt in one state doesn’t mean it will be in another.
Knowing the rules before you shop can help you save the most money.
[Sales tax rates are based on data from the Tax Foundation and are accurate as of July 2024. The average combined sales tax rate listed for each tax holiday is the average of the statewide sales tax rate and local tax rates within the state.]
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Sales tax-free weekends: What you should know
Sales tax holidays exempt statewide taxes, but localities in some states may still charge local taxes on items that qualify for the state’s tax holiday. To find out if local taxes apply in your area, you can check with your state for more information.
Online orders typically qualify for sales tax holidays, but the orders must be paid for during the tax holiday period, and the items must be shipped to an address within the state. Exclusions may apply.
Alabama Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: July 19 through July 21
State Sales Tax Rate: 4%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 9.29%
Alabama's sales tax holiday provides savings for many students, as well as necessities for the whole family. Shoppers can purchase items like clothing, electronics, school supplies, as well as diapers. To qualify, electronics cannot exceed $750 and clothing items cannot be more than $100. Below are a few more examples of limitations during this tax holiday.
- Required textbooks on an official school book list, with a sales price of more than $30 and less than $50
- Book bags, lunch boxes, binders, notebooks and folders
- Calculators and writing tablets
- Many books with a sales price of $30 or less, per book
Not all localities notified the state regarding participating in the tax holiday in 2024. For more information, visit the official back-to-school Alabama holiday website. Also see Kiplinger's report: The Alabama Tax-Free Weekend.
Arkansas Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 3 through August 4
State Sales Tax Rate: 6.5%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 9.45%
Arkansas has one of the highest sales tax rates in the U.S., but shoppers can purchase some items tax-free during the state’s two-day back-to-school sales tax holiday. The Arkansas tax-free weekend for 2024 includes certain clothing, electronics, and school supplies.
While the state has not released a list of specific eligible items this year, here are some items Arkansas typically exempts.
- Clothing items, wedding apparel, and footwear (must not exceed $100 per item)
- Jewelry and watches, wigs and hair accessories, handbags and briefcases, umbrellas and cosmetics (must not exceed $50 per item)
- Cellular phones, laptops, printers, computers and computer monitors, keyboards and tablets
- Pencils and pens, crayons, notebooks and paper, writing tablets, folders and binders, book bags and lunch boxes, scissors and calculators
For more information about the Arkansas back-to-school sales tax holiday, shoppers can visit the Department of Finance and Administration’s (DFA) website.
Connecticut Tax-Free Week
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 18 through August 24
State Sales Tax Rate: 6.35%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 6.35%
Connecticut’s tax-free week starts on the third Sunday of August. While back-to-school sales tax holidays only run for two days in many states, Connecticut’s tax holiday lasts an entire week. During this time, shoppers can purchase clothing and footwear items tax-free, as long as each item costs less than $100.
Items that typically qualify as tax-exempt
- Hats, gloves and ear muffs
- Jeans, shirts, shorts and skirts
- Socks, sneakers and slippers
- Rented uniforms and formal wear
- Undergarments, robes and diapers
For more information about this year’s tax-free week, Connecticut shoppers can visit the state’s Department of Revenue Services website. Also see Kiplinger's report: Connecticut Tax-Free Week 2024.
Florida Tax-Free Holiday
Dates of Tax Holiday: July 29 through August 11
State Sales Tax Rate: 6%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 7%
Florida’s back-to-school tax holiday lasts for two weeks. That makes it the longest tax holiday on this list. Florida shoppers can purchase certain clothing items, school supplies, learning aids, and electronics tax-free during the two weeks. Here are some of the items that qualify.
- Tablets and computers (must not exceed $1,500)
- Flashcards, puzzle books and nesting blocks (must not exceed $30)
- Pens, pencils, crayons and notebooks (must not exceed $50)
For more information about Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday, shoppers can visit the Florida Department of Revenue website.
Related: Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday 2024
Iowa Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 2 through August 3
State Sales Tax Rate: 6%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 6.94%
Iowa holds its annual back-to-school sales tax holiday the first Friday and Saturday of August. That’s August 2 and 3 in 2024. During the event, shoppers can purchase clothing and footwear tax-free. Unlike in some other states, Iowa’s tax holiday exempts all local sales taxes in addition to the state’s 6% statewide tax rate. Some items do not qualify as clothing for the purpose of the tax holiday.
- Rentals are not exempt.
- Roller blades are not exempt.
- Protective gear is not exempt.
- Jewelry and watches are not exempt.
For more information about Iowa’s sales tax holiday, shoppers can visit the Iowa Department of Revenue website.
Maryland Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 11 through August 17
State Sales Tax Rate: 6%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 6%
Maryland’s tax-free week allows shoppers to buy eligible clothing and footwear items without paying the state’s 6% sales tax rate. Here are some things you should know about the Maryland sales tax holiday before you go shopping.
- Individual clothing and footwear items must be priced at $100 or less to qualify.
- Backpacks qualify, but only the first $40 is tax-exempt.
- Accessories do not qualify.
- Protective athletic equipment does not qualify.
More information about Maryland’s tax-free week can be found at the Comptroller of Maryland website.
Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 10 through August 11
State Sales Tax Rate: 6.25%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 6.25%
Many states limit individual sales tax holiday purchases to $100, but Massachusetts exempts most items $2,500 or less during its back-to-school tax holiday. The Massachusetts tax free weekend 2024 isn’t limited to clothing, footwear and school supplies. Rather than list items that qualify for the tax-exempt period, the state lists items that do not.
- Motor boats, motor vehicles, gas, steam and electricity do not qualify.
- Alcohol, tobacco and marijuana products do not qualify.
- Meals and telecommunication purchases do not qualify.
If you would like more information about the Massachusetts sales tax holiday, you can visit the event’s FAQ page. Also see Kiplinger's report: Tax-Free Weekend in Massachusetts 2024
Mississippi Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: July 26 through July 27
State Sales Tax Rate: 7%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 7.06%
The Mississippi sales tax holiday exempts eligible items from sales tax. To qualify, each individual item must cost less than $100. Electronics do not qualify for the 2024 Mississippi back-to-school tax-free weekend, but the following items do.
- Clothing items (hats, socks, jeans, undergarments, etc.)
- Everyday footwear
- School supplies (pencils, crayons, binders, etc.)
You can find more information about the Mississippi sales tax holiday on the state’s Department of Revenue website.
Missouri Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 2 through August 4
State Sales Tax Rate: 4.22%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 8.39%
Missouri’s tax-free weekend in 2024 exempts some clothing items, school supplies and electronics from sales tax, but individual items must not exceed a specific dollar amount. And the dollar amount for each category is different.
- Individual clothing items must not exceed $100.
- School supply purchases must not exceed $50.
- Computer software must have a taxable value of $350 or less.
- Personal computers must not exceed $1,500.
- Graphing calculators must not exceed $150.
Shoppers can find more information about the 2024 Missouri sales tax holiday on the state’s Department of Revenue website.
New Mexico Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 2 through August 4
State Sales Tax Rate: 4.88%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 7.62%
New Mexico’s annual gross receipts tax holiday is a three-day event that allows shoppers to purchase eligible clothing, footwear, computers and school supplies tax-free. But there are some exceptions that New Mexicans should know about before they shop.
- Individual clothing and footwear items must be priced at less than $100.
- Computers, tablets and laptops must be priced at $1,000 or less.
- Computer hardware must be priced at $500 or less.
- Individual school supply items must be priced at less than $30.
Shoppers can visit the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department website for more information on the 2024 sales tax holiday sale.
Ohio Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: July 30 through August 8
State Sales Tax Rate: 5.75%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 7.24%
Starting in 2024, the Ohio sales tax holiday will last ten days, instead of the usual three. In addition to a longer runtime, shoppers can purchase more items tax-free and even dine-in restaurants tax-free.
Related: Ohio Sales Tax Holiday Includes Restaurant Meals
Almost "all tangible personal property that is $500 or less" will be tax-exempt in the sale. Ineligible items like alcohol, marijuana, motor vehicles, tobacco, and watercraft will not be included in the Ohio tax-free weekend. Specific examples of qualifying items are listed below.
- Book bags
- Calculators
- Reference maps and globes
- Writing tablets
- Sneakers and sandals
- Baby receiving blankets
- Shirts, shorts and dresses
For a full list of qualifying items, Ohio shoppers can visit the state’s Department of Taxation website.
Oklahoma Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 2 through August 4
State Sales Tax Rate: 4.5%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 8.99%
Oklahoma’s sales tax holiday exempts eligible clothing and footwear items from the sales tax. However, each item must be priced at less than $100 to qualify. Some items don’t qualify for the Oklahoma tax-free weekend.
- Accessories (for example, jewelry and hair barrettes) don’t qualify.
- Rented clothing does not qualify.
- Clothing designed for athletic use (for example, shoulder pads and cleats) does not qualify.
For more information about Oklahoma’s back-to-school tax holiday, shoppers can visit the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s tax help center page.
South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 2 through August 4
State Sales Tax Rate: 6%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 7.5%
During the South Carolina tax-free weekend, shoppers won’t pay sales tax on eligible clothing items, school supplies, or computers. South Carolina even exempts some items that most other states do not.
- Towels are tax-exempt.
- Pillows are tax-exempt.
- Musical instruments for school are tax-exempt.
South Carolina shoppers can find detailed information about the 2024 tax holiday on the state's Department of Revenue website.
Tennessee Sales Tax Holiday
Dates of Tax Holiday: July 26 through July 28
State Sales Tax Rate: 7%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 9.55%
Tennessee shoppers won’t pay sales tax on eligible items purchased during the tax-free weekend. To qualify for the TN sales tax holiday, each piece of clothing must cost $100 or less. School supply items must also be priced at $100 or less. However, computers that cost up to $1,500 qualify for the tax holiday. Some items are not included in the tax-free weekend.
- Jewlery is not tax-exempt.
- Sports equipment is not tax-exempt.
- Printer supplies are not tax-exempt.
Tennessee shoppers can visit the TN Department of Revenue website for more information about the 2024 back-to-school tax holiday.
Related: TN Sales Tax Holiday 2024
Texas Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 9 through August 11
State Sales Tax Rate: 6.25%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 8.2%
Shoppers can purchase eligible clothing, footwear and school supplies tax-free during the annual Texas back-to-school sales tax holiday. Items must cost less than $100 to qualify as tax-exempt. Below are examples of items that are not taxable during the tax-free weekend.
- Markers, pens, pencils and crayons
- Rulers, scissors and notebooks
- Book bags lunch boxes
- Shirts and jeans
- Skirts and shorts
- Sneakers and sandals
Additional items are included in the Texas sales tax holiday. Shoppers can visit the Texas Comptroller website for more information. Also, see Kiplinger's report on the Texas Tax-Free Weekend for 2024.
Virginia Tax-Free Weekend
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 2 through August 4
State Sales Tax Rate: 4.3%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 5.77%
The Virginia tax-free weekend is back in its usual August slot for 2024, and shoppers won’t pay sales tax on eligible clothing items, school supplies, or computers. Virginia even exempts hurricane and emergency preparedness products.
- Qualified school supplies that are $20 or less
- Portable generators that are $1,000 or less
- Qualified footwear and clothing valued at $100 or less
Virginia shoppers can find detailed information about the 2024 tax holiday on the state's Department of Taxation website. Also see Kiplinger's report: Virginia's Sales Tax Holiday Is Back.
West Virginia Sales Tax Holiday
Dates of Tax Holiday: August 2 through August 5
State Sales Tax Rate: 6%
Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 6.57%
The West Virginia back-to-school sales tax holiday is a four-day event that allows shoppers to purchase eligible clothing, school supplies, sports equipment and computers tax-free. However, there are price limitations you should be aware of before you start shopping.
- Clothing items must not exceed $125.
- Laptops and tablets must cost $500 or less.
- School instruction materials must cost $20 or less.
- School supplies must cost $50 or less.
- Sports equipment must not exceed $150.
For more information, shoppers can visit the sales tax holiday questions and answers page on the West Virginia Tax Division’s website.
Related Content
-
Donating Complex Assets Doesn't Have to Be ComplicatedIf you're looking to donate less-conventional assets but don't know where to start, this charity executive has answers, such as considering a donor-advised fund (DAF) for its tax benefits and ease of use.
-
Travel trends you can expect this summerThe Kiplinger Letter Domestic trips will trump foreign travel amid economic uncertainties, though some costs are down.
-
Ten Cheapest Places To Live in New YorkProperty Tax If you’re planning a move in New York, here are the counties with the lowest property tax bills in the Empire State.
-
‘My Etsy Shop is Dead’: Vendors Cry for Help Amid Trump’s TariffsTariffs Small businesses are struggling to thrive as they absorb the Trump administration’s new wave of tariffs.
-
Three Things Star Wars Fans Taught Me About TaxTax Tips May the force be with you and your taxes this Star Wars Day 2025.
-
Retirees: Don’t Miss These Valuable State Tax Breaks in 2025Retirement Planning Selecting the right state for retirement can significantly impact your financial well-being.
-
10 Cheapest Places To Live in FloridaProperty Tax Make your Florida vacation spot a place for daily living — these counties have the lowest property tax bills in the state.
-
Missed Tax Day? Nearly One Million Taxpayers Still Can File and Claim Valuable Tax RefundsTax Refunds As many as one million taxpayers could be missing out on a significant tax refund.
-
Which Generation Pays the Most Tax in the US?Tax Burden Polls show that most people feel like taxes are unfair. But which age group bears the brunt of the tax burden in the United States?
-
Tax Day 2025: Don’t Miss These Freebies, Food Deals and DiscountsTax Day You can score some sweet deals on April 15 in some select restaurants like Burger King, Shake Shack, and more.
