Tax-Free Weekend Dates, States and Savings for Back-to-School Shopping
Sales tax holidays are a great way to save money on clothes, shoes, backpacks, school supplies, and other back-to-school necessities.
Whether your kids will be learning from home or in the classroom this fall, you'll have to do some back-to-school shopping to prepare for the new school year. And, as every parent knows, the bill for new clothes, shoes, backpacks, and other schools supplies can get very high, very quickly.
Thankfully, some states cut you a break on back-to-school shopping by holding a sales tax holiday before school starts. As the name suggests, if you purchase qualifying items during one of these holidays, the store won't tack on sales tax at the register. Most of these back-to-school sales tax holidays are in August and run through the weekend (often starting on Friday). But the dates, duration, and qualifying items vary widely from state to state. So, if you live in (or near) a state with one of these "tax-free weekends," make sure you familiarize yourself with the timing and scope of the available sales tax exemption before you head out for your back-to-school shopping.
To get you up to speed, we've listed the 16 states with a tax-free weekend for back-to-school shopping in 2020. We also provide an overview of the sales tax exemption and provide links to additional information (unless otherwise noted, the exemptions cover both state and local sales taxes). If you're interested in other 2020 sales tax holidays, see Sales Tax Holidays in 2020.
Sales tax rates and averaged combined state and local sales tax rates are from the Tax Foundation as of July 1, 2020.
Alabama
- State sales tax rate: 4%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 9.22%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: July 17 to 19, 2020
- Go to Alabama's Full State Profile
Alabama's 2020 sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping runs from July 17 to July 19. The sales tax exemption generally applies to clothing costing $100 or less, computers and related items priced up to $750, school supplies priced up to $50, and books costing $30 or less. For details on what is exempt and what is taxable, see the guidelines on the Alabama DOR's website.
Counties and cities in the state must opt in for the sales tax holidays to apply within their borders. The Alabama DOR has a list of the participating local governments on its website.
Arkansas
- State sales tax rate: 6.5%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 9.53%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 1 to 2, 2020
- Go to Arkansas's Full State Profile
Get ready to save on back-to-school shopping in Arkansas on August 1 and 2 this year. During the state's sales tax holiday, there's no sales tax on general clothing costing less than $100, various accessories priced below $50, school supplies (including art supplies), and school instructional materials. The exemption doesn't cover sewing equipment and supplies, protective equipment, sport or recreational equipment, belt buckles sold separately, computers and periphery equipment, software, and many other items. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration has a detailed list of what's exempt and what's taxable during the tax-free weekend on its website.
Connecticut
- State sales tax rate: 6.35%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 6.35%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 16 to 22, 2020
- Go to Connecticut's Full State Profile
Connecticut's sales tax holiday lasts a whole week. In 2020, it runs from August 16 to 22. The downside is that the sales tax exemption is more limited than in most other states – it only applies to items costing less than $100. In addition, the sales tax holiday doesn't provide an exemption for special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use, jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, and similar accessories. Safety apparel is tax-free under a separate exemption. A more detailed list of what's exempt and what isn't can be found on the Connecticut Department of Revenue Service's website.
Florida
- State sales tax rate: 6%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 7.05%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 7 to 9, 2020
- Go to Florida's Full State Profile
Back-to-school shopping in Florida will be a little cheaper from August 7 to 9, 2020. The state's sales tax holiday applies to clothing, footwear, and backpacks costing $60 or less; school supplies costing $15 or less; and the first $1,000 of the price of personal computers or personal computer-related accessories. "Clothing" includes face masks, wallets and handbags, but not watches or jewelry. The tax exemption also doesn't apply to sales made in a theme park, entertainment complex, hotel, or airport. For more information, including examples of qualifying items, see the Florida Department of Revenue's website.
Iowa
- State sales tax rate: 6%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 6.94%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 7 to 8, 2020
- Go to Iowa's Full State Profile
In Iowa, there's no sales tax on clothing or footwear sold for less than $100 on August 7 and 8, 2020. The exemption applies to each article priced under $100 regardless of how many items are sold to a customer. However, it doesn't apply in any way to the price of an item selling for $100 or more. There's also a long list of specific items that don't qualify for the exemption, such as watches, jewelry, umbrellas, sporting equipment, and special clothing or footwear designed primarily for athletic activity. A detailed list of what's exempt and what's taxable can be found on the Iowa Department of Revenue's website.
Maryland
- State sales tax rate: 6%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 6%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 9 to 15, 2020
- Go to Maryland's Full State Profile
Maryland has a week-long sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping. This year it runs from August 9 to 15, 2020. During the holiday, there's no sales tax on certain clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less. The first $40 spent on a backpack or bookbag is also tax-free. Accessory items, except for backpacks, aren't exempt. There's a detailed list of taxable and exempt items on the Comptroller of Maryland's website.
Massachusetts
- State sales tax rate: 6.25%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 6.25%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 29 to 30, 2020
- Go to Massachusetts' Full State Profile
Massachusetts has a very broad sales tax holiday. On August 29 and 30, 2020, shoppers in the state can purchase most retail items priced at $2,500 or less without having to pay sales tax. However, the exemption doesn't apply to meals, motor vehicles, motorboats, telecommunications services, natural gas, steam, electricity, tobacco products, marijuana or marijuana products, or alcoholic beverages. The exemption also doesn't apply to purchases by businesses or purchases by individuals for business use. (Only sales to individuals for personal use or consumption are tax-free.)
Mississippi
- State sales tax rate: 7%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 7.07%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: July 31 to August 1, 2020
- Go to Mississippi's Full State Profile
Mississippi's back-to-school sales tax holiday is on July 31 and August 1 this year. The sales tax exemption applies to clothing, footwear, and school supplies with a sales price of $100 or less. However, accessories such as jewelry, handbags, wallets, watches, and the like do not qualify for the exemption. A list of tax exempt and taxable items can be found on the Mississippi Department of Revenue's website.
Missouri
- State sales tax rate: 4.225%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 8.2%
- Dates for sales tax holiday: August 7 to 9, 2020
- Go to Missouri's Full State Profile
Missouri's tax-free weekend for certain back-to-school purchases begins on August 7 and ends August 9, 2020. During the holiday, sales of school supplies costing $50 or less, clothing priced up to $100, graphing calculators valued at $150 or less, computer software costing $350 or less, and personal computers and peripheral devices priced up to $1,500 are exempt from sales tax. Cities, counties, and special tax districts choose whether they will participate in the back-to-school sales tax holiday. Cities, counties, and special taxing districts can opt in or out of this holiday for their local sales tax (click the city, county and district links to see lists of local jurisdictions not participating in the sales tax holiday).
New Mexico
- State sales tax rate: 5.125%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 7.83%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 7 to 9, 2020
- Go to New Mexico's Full State Profile
New Mexico's back-to-school sales tax holiday runs from August 7 to 9, 2020. During the holiday, there's no gross receipts (sales) tax on clothing or footwear priced at less than $100; computers costing up to $1,000; related computer hardware priced at $500 or less; book bags, backpacks, maps and globes valued at under $100; handheld calculators for under $200; and basic school supplies priced under $30. However, the tax exemption doesn't apply to watches, radios, CD players, headphones, sporting equipment, portable or desktop telephones, copiers, office equipment, furniture, or fixtures. The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department has a detailed list of what is or isn't covered on its website.
Ohio
- State sales tax rate: 5.75%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 7.17%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 7 to 9, 2020
- Go to Ohio's Full State Profile
During Ohio's sales tax holiday, there's no sales tax on purchases of clothing priced at $75 or less, school supplies priced at $20 or less, and school instructional materials priced at $20 or less. Clothing accessories, protective equipment, sewing equipment and supplies, sports or recreational equipment, belt buckles, costume masks, patches and emblems, and items used in a trade or business are not exempt. The Ohio Department of Taxation has more information about what is or isn't exempt during the sales tax holiday on the FAQ section of its website. This year, Ohio's back-to-school sales tax holiday is from August 7 to 9, 2020.
Oklahoma
- State sales tax rate: 4.5%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 8.95%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 7 to 9, 2020
- Go to Oklahoma's Full State Profile
This year's Oklahoma back-to-school sales tax holiday is from August 7 to 9, 2020. During the holiday, sales of clothing or footwear are tax-free if the sales price is less than $100. The sales tax exemption doesn't apply to the sale of accessories (e.g., jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, and other similar items), special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity, or to the rental of clothing or footwear. A nonexclusive list of "clothing" that is exempt from sales tax during the holiday is on the Oklahoma Tax Commission's website.
South Carolina
- State sales tax rate: 6%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 7.46%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 7 to 9, 2020
- Go to South Carolina's Full State Profile
Shoppers in South Carolina should plan to buy their back-to-school gear from August 7 to August 9, 2020. That's when they can avoid paying sales tax on purchases of clothing, footwear, accessories, school supplies, computers, software, printers, and certain bed and bath supplies. The exemption does not, however, apply to sales of jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, watches, furniture, or any item to be used in a trade or business. The rental of clothing or footwear is taxable, too. Additional examples of items that are both exempt and taxable items during the sales tax holiday are posted on the South Carolina Department of Revenue's website.
Tennessee
- State sales tax rate: 7%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 9.55%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: July 31 to August 2, 2020
- Go to Tennessee's Full State Profile
Tennessee's back-to-school sales tax holiday runs from July 31 to August 2, 2020. Clothing, footwear, and school supplies (including art supplies) priced at or below $200 are tax-free during the holiday, as are electronic devices costing $3,000 or less. While clothing qualifies for the exemption, clothing accessories, protective equipment, and sport or recreational equipment do not. The exemption also doesn't apply to computer software, school instructional materials, household appliances, items used in a trade or business, or to items that are rented. A more complete list of exempt items can be found on the Tennessee Department of Revenue website.
Texas
- State sales tax rate: 6.25%
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 8.19%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 7 to 9, 2020
- Go to Texas' Full State Profile
Texas holds a tax-free weekend for back-to-school shoppers from August 7 to 9, 2020. During this annual sales tax holiday, you can buy most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks without having to pay sales tax if the item purchased is sold for less than $100. The Texas Comptroller's office has lists of exempt and taxable items for clothing, footwear and other items and for school supplies on its website.
Virginia
- State sales tax rate: 5.3% (includes mandatory 1% local tax)
- Average combined state and local sales tax rate: 5.65%
- Dates of sales tax holiday: August 7 to 9, 2020
- Go to Virginia's Full State Profile
Virginia's sales tax holiday applies to much more than just back-to-school supplies. From August 7 to 9, 2020, you can buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, energy-efficient appliances, and water-saving products without paying sales tax. However, for purchases to be tax-free, the items sold cannot exceed certain price limits. For instance, school supplies can't be sold for more than $20, and clothing and footwear must be priced at $100 or less. For hurricane and emergency preparedness products, portable generators can't cost more than $1,000, gas-powered chainsaws must be sold for $350 or less, chainsaw accessories must be priced at or below $60, and other hurricane preparedness items can't be sold for more than $60. Energy-efficient (Energy Star) and water-saving (WaterSense) products can't be priced above $2,500. The Virginia Department of Taxation has lists of exempt and taxable school supplies, clothing, and footwear; hurricane and emergency preparedness products; and Energy Star and WaterSense products on its website (click on links to view lists).
