Good news: Ohio residents can enjoy an expanded sales tax holiday this year, offering savings on various purchases. Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the 2024 sales tax holiday will run for ten days — a notable extension from previous years.
"Ohio's sales tax holiday, historically, has been meant to help families buy clothing and school supplies for the upcoming school year,” DeWine stated in a release, adding, “This expanded sales tax break will help Ohio's families with back-to-school necessities as well as other substantial purchases during a time when so many household budgets are being strained."
Here’s more of what you need to know before you shop (or dine).
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.
Ohio tax-free days expanded: When does it start?
This year's sales tax holiday in Ohio runs from Tuesday, July 30, through Thursday, August 8. This ten-day window of tax-free shopping is a notable expansion from the traditional three-day sales tax holidays held in many states.
And there’s more good tax news for Ohioans. The 2024 tax-exemption benefits extend beyond school supplies (more on that below).
One notable change is the increase in the price limit for eligible items.
- Previously, the tax exemption applied to clothing items priced at $75 or less and school supplies at $20 or less.
- Now, consumers can enjoy tax-free purchases on eligible items priced up to $500, regardless of the total purchase amount.
Note: You can take advantage of these savings in-store and online.
Eligible items for Ohio tax holiday 2024
Most items priced up to $500 per item are eligible for the sales tax holiday. This is an expansion from previous years, where only specific categories were included. For example:
- Clothing items were previously limited to $75 per item.
- School supplies and instructional materials were previously limited to $20 per item.
The expanded holiday also introduces a new category: restaurant meals.
For the first time, dine-in meals at restaurants are included in the tax exemption.
It's important to note that this applies only to food consumed on the premises, not to carry-out or delivery orders.
What’s not included in Ohio tax-free days?
Certain items remain excluded from the tax holiday. These include services, watercraft, motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and items containing marijuana.
Tax-free days Ohio: Bottom line
As the Ohio tax-free period for 2024 approaches, it might help to plan your purchases to take advantage of savings, whether you're stocking up on school supplies, upgrading home essentials, or enjoying a meal out.
And keep in mind that this expanded sales tax holiday isn’t the only tax change in Ohio this year. Ohio is implementing new personal income tax rates for 2024. The number of state tax brackets is being reduced from four to three, with the top two brackets combined into one.
The new tax rates will be 0% for income up to $26,050, 2.75% for income between $26,051 and $100,000, and 3.5% for income above $100,001.
Related
-
Even Retirees Get a Case of the MondaysAnxiety about the start of a new week isn't just experienced by those in the workforce. Retirees deal with it, too. Here's why it happens and strategies for dealing with it.
-
Six Steps to Being Empowered and On Track: An Expert Financial Guide for WomenWhile most female investors feel on track with their financial goals and empowered by managing their investments, many regret not starting sooner. Here's how you can get started and take control of your financial future.
-
Five Ways Trump’s 2025 Tax Bill Could Boost Your Tax Refund (or Shrink It)Tax Refunds The tax code is changing again, and if you’re filing for 2025, Trump’s ‘big beautiful’ bill could mean a bigger refund next year, a smaller one, or something in between. Here are five ways the new law could impact your bottom line.
-
New SALT Deduction Could Put Thousands Back in California Homeowners’ PocketsTax Breaks The federal state and local sales tax (SALT) deduction cap is higher this year, and could translate into bigger savings for Golden State homeowners.
-
Money for Your Kids? Three Ways Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impacts Your Child's FinancesTax Tips The Trump tax bill could help your child with future education and homebuying costs. Here’s how.
-
Why Your Summer Budget Feels Tighter: Tariffs Push Up InflationTariffs Your summer holiday just got more expensive, and tariffs are partially to blame, economists say.
-
Alabama Tax-Free Weekend 2025Tax Holiday Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 back-to-school Alabama sales tax holiday.
-
Key 2025 Tax Changes for Parents in Trump's MegabillTax Changes Are you a parent? The so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ (OBBB) impacts several key tax incentives that can affect your family this year and beyond.
-
‘I Play Pickleball in Retirement.’ Is It HSA-Eligible?Retirement Tax Staying active after you retire may be easier with these HSA expenses. But there’s a big catch.
-
Mississippi Tax-Free Weekend 2025Tax Holiday Just in time for Prime Day, Mississippi celebrated a tax holiday in July. Find out what back-to-school essentials were included.
