Oho! We know kids don’t want to hear “back to school” discussion, but sales tax holidays in some states can help parents and caregivers save money on school supplies.
Some states extend this even further and offer tax-free shopping on a variety of items, where shoppers of all ages can save.
Saving money is especially important this year as buyers consistently say they are stressed about finances and rising costs.
In July and August, 18 states have specific sales-tax holidays when certain purchases made for school are tax-free. The first state is Mississippi, from July 10 to July 12, and the tax holiday continues through August. Connecticut is the last state with a tax holiday from August 16 to August 22.
What are sales tax holidays?
Most tax-free shopping days offer sales tax exemptions on school-related items such as clothing, shoes, electronics and supplies. One state, Massachusetts, extends the sales-tax holiday to include more than back-to-school items. But there are some changes compared to previous years.
Ohio is returning to a three-day sales-tax holiday instead of the 14-day tax holiday that covered nearly all tangible property costing $500 or less in 2025. Virginia’s sales tax holiday also includes hurricane and emergency preparedness items. New Jersey permanently canceled its sales tax holiday.
And this year, Illinois is bringing back the school-supply state sales tax holiday for the first time in 10 years.
USA TODAY has compiled a full list of participating states, details on what’s tax-free and a snapshot of how shoppers are feeling.
Back-to-school shopping has already started
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), more shoppers began back-to-school shopping in early June than in previous years. Nearly a third, or 32%, of back-to-school shoppers said they started browsing and purchasing in early June, the highest percentage since the NRF first started asking the question in 2018. In 2025, 26% of buyers said they started shopping in June.
According to NRF’s annual June survey, all age groups said they had started shopping earlier, but younger generations were leading the trend. Gen Z (40%) and Millennial (42%) shoppers were the largest groups making early purchases, and had the biggest jumps year over year. In 2025, 31% of both Gen Z and Millennial shoppers were making a purchase in early June.
Only 27% of Gen
Consumers may be more prepared for their back-to-school shopping, NRF said, as 44% said they received their school-supply lists as early as June. This is compared with 38% who said the same in 2025.
Sales tax holidays help shoppers’ wallets
Data from PwC, a professional services firm, shows that families are expecting to spend about $922 during the back-to-school season and nearly half are planning to spend more than last year.
“Back-to-school spending is about commitment, not discretion,” Kelly Pedersen, global retail leader at PwC, told USA TODAY. “Parents aren’t looking for a reason to skip the list; they’re looking for ways to absorb the bill they know is coming.”
This is where tax holidays make sense, Pedersen said.
He said, “Tax-free weekend is exactly the kind of date that budget-conscious parents are already circling. It’s not about spending less. It’s about being smart with a commitment that doesn’t end.”
Clothing and shoes are the largest line item in the PwC survey at $278.
“Clothing and shoes have historically been the categories that have benefited the most during tax holiday periods, and those are the categories that families are prioritizing the most,” Pedersen said.
What’s different this season, Pederson said, is that parents are intentionally looking for those windows: 54% of families surveyed cited sales and promotions as the top purchasing factor. Seventy-three percent are using AI somewhere in their shopping journey, often specifically for comparing prices and purchasing time.
The spending doesn’t stop once school starts, Pederson said. Families are then expected to spend an additional $635 per month on fees, food and activity costs.
“Back-to-school is not a seasonal event; it’s the beginning of a year-long financial relationship. The families who are doing it best are the ones coming up with a plan,” he said.
Rising prices still the biggest concern for buyers
But high prices are worrying buyers.
“Prices are still top of mind, although consumers are more optimistic than four years ago, when inflation was at its peak,” the NRF said in a back-to-school blog post posted on its website July 7.
But there are differences in how households in different income groups are viewing prices, the NRF said. “Earners above $100,000 have seen a sharp decline in anxiety about high inflation since 2022 and have continued to increase spending,” the NRF said. “Low-income households, while less concerned than four years ago, remain concerned about prices and are looking for ways to stretch their dollars.”
The retail group said retailers are taking note and will boost sales throughout the summer. Nearly one-third of back-to-school shoppers told NRF they typically plan their purchases around summer sales. Families also told the group for their survey that if back-to-school items are more expensive than expected, they will do more comparison shopping or check out items at discount stores.
Is there a school supply sales tax holiday in my state?
Here’s a list of participating states and what’s tax-exempt, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators, and additional reporting by USA TODAY. Rules and dates vary by state so check state websites for the latest information. In some cases, local taxes may still apply.
If a dollar amount is not listed, the state does not indicate a spending limit on that item. Generally, most online purchases also qualify for the sales-tax holiday, but check your state’s requirements.
According to the Federation of Tax Administrators, five states do not charge sales taxes year-round: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. However, some municipalities in Alaska charge sales taxes.
alabama sales tax holiday
Alabama extends price limit on tax-exempt items through 2026. 17-19 July.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing and shoes: $156 or less per item
- Computer: $1,173 or less per item
- School Supplies: $78 or less per item
- Books: $47 or less per item
arkansas sales tax holiday
1-2 August.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing & Shoes: $100 or less per item, Clothing Accessories: $50 or less per item
- School, art and teaching supplies and electronic equipment used for school are tax-free and there is no limit on price
connecticut sales tax holiday
August 16-22 (always from the third Sunday in August to the following Saturday).
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing and shoes under $300 (over $100); Clean shoes and backpacks have been newly added as tax-free
- A new Connecticut state law, which began July 1, exempts non-electronic school supplies from sales tax year-round
Florida Sales Tax Holiday
The back-to-school sales tax holiday in Florida is a month long, but this year, it’s starting two weeks earlier. July 20-Aug. 20.
What is tax-exempt:
- Learning materials, such as flash cards and puzzle books, and puzzles: $30 or less
- School Supplies: $50 or less per item
- Clothing, Shoes, Accessories: $100 or less per item
- Computers and related accessories: $1,500 or less
illinois sales tax holiday
This is the first school sales tax holiday for Illinois in 10 years. August 7-16.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothes and shoes: $125 and under
- Qualified school supplies, including book bags, calculators and other items used by students to study, are not subject to the $125 limit.
iowa sales tax holiday
August 7-8 (first Friday and Saturday of August).
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing or shoes: $100 or less per item
maryland sales tax holiday
August 9-15 (always from the second Sunday in August to the following Saturday).
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item
- Backpacks: The first $40 of backpack/book bag purchases is tax-free
- Accessories, except backpacks, not included in tax-free leave
Massachusetts sales tax holiday
August 8-9.
- Qualified retail items valued at $2,500 or less purchased for personal use (not limited to school supplies)
- There are several exceptions when the tax still applies, including: food, motor vehicles and boats, gas and electricity, tobacco, marijuana or alcoholic beverages and any item priced over $2,500.
mississippi sales tax holiday
10-12 July.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item
- School Supplies: $100 or less per item
missouri sales tax holiday
August 7-9.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing: $100 or less per item
- School Supplies: $50 or less per item
- Computers and peripherals: $1,500
- Computer Software: $350 or less
- Graphic Calculator: $150 or less
New Mexico Sales Tax Holiday
According to the Tax Administrators Association, the sales tax deduction is optional and not mandatory. 31 July-August. 2.
What is tax-exempt:
- School Supplies: $30 and less per item
- Clothing or shoes: $100 or less per item
- Desktop, laptop, tablet or notebook computer: $1,000
- Related Computer Hardware: $500 per item
new york sales tax holiday
- New York does not have a sales tax holiday, but some counties, including the county covering New York City, do not charge any sales tax on clothing and shoes priced at $110 or less year-round.
ohio sales tax holiday
Ohio is returning to a three-day sales-tax holiday in 2026 instead of the 14-day tax holiday that previously covered nearly all tangible property worth $500 or less. August 7-9.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing: $75 or less per item
- School Supplies: $20 or less per item
- School learning supplies: $20 or less per item
oklahoma sales tax holiday
August 7-9 (first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of August).
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing or shoes: $100 or less per item
pennsylvania sales tax holiday
- Pennsylvania does not have a sales-tax holiday, but it does charge sales tax for clothing and some shoes year-round.
south carolina sales tax holiday
South Carolina does not set any price limits on eligible items that are tax-exempt and this also includes some non-school-related items. August 7-9.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
- school supplies
- Computer, Printer, Earbuds and Headphones
- some bed and bath items
tennessee sales tax holiday
31 July-August. 2.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item
- School Supplies: $100 or less per item
- Computers, including laptops and tablets: $1,500 or less per item
texas sales tax holiday
August 7-9.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item
- Backpack: $100 or less per item
- School Supplies: $100 or less per item
Virginia Sales Tax Holiday
Virginia’s sales tax holiday also covers hurricane and emergency preparedness items and Energy Star/Water Sense items. August 7-9.
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item
- School Supplies: $20 or less per item
- Portable generators: $1,000 or less per item
- Gas-powered chainsaw: $350 or less per item
- Chainsaw Accessories: $60 or less per item
- Other specified hurricane preparedness items: $60 or less per item
- Qualifying Energy Star and WaterSense products purchased for non-commercial home or personal use: $2,500 or less per item
West Virginia Sales Tax Holiday
31 July-August. 3 (from the Friday before the first Sunday in August to the following Monday).
What is tax-exempt:
- Clothing: $125 or less per item
- Laptop or tablet computer: $500 or less per item
- School instruction materials: $20 or less per item
- School Supplies: $50 or less per item
- Sports Equipment: $150 or less per item