Back-to-school shopping can get expensive fast, but the 2026 sales tax holidays give families a chance to save on clothing, shoes, school supplies, computers, and other essentials. Depending on where you live, eligible purchases may be temporarily exempt from state and local sales taxes.
Several tax-free shopping events are happening now, while many of the biggest sales tax holidays begin August 7. However, every state has different dates, spending limits, and rules. An item that qualifies in one state may still be taxable in another.
This complete guide explains the upcoming 2026 sales tax holidays, what you can purchase tax-free, and how to avoid paying more than necessary.
What Are 2026 Sales Tax Holidays?
Sales tax holidays are limited periods when shoppers can purchase qualifying products without paying some or all applicable sales taxes. They are often called tax-free weekends, although some last longer than a weekend.
Most back-to-school tax holidays cover necessities such as:
- Clothing and footwear
- Backpacks
- Pens, pencils, notebooks, and binders
- Art and instructional supplies
- Computers and computer accessories
- Certain Energy Star products
Not every product in these categories automatically qualifies. Most states place a price limit on each individual item.
For example, a state may exempt clothing priced below $100 per item. A $75 pair of shoes could qualify, while a $125 jacket would remain taxable.
2026 Sales Tax Holidays Happening Now
A few states have tax-free shopping periods that end on August 2 or August 3. Shoppers in these states should act quickly.
Arkansas: August 1–2, 2026
Arkansas residents can shop tax-free through Sunday, August 2.
Qualifying purchases include:
- Clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item
- Clothing accessories priced under $50 per item
- School supplies
- Art supplies
- Instructional materials
- Certain electronic devices
Arkansas does not impose a price limit on qualifying school supplies or electronic devices during the holiday. State and local sales taxes generally do not apply to eligible purchases.
Computers, laptops, tablets, printers, calculators, and some computer accessories may qualify. Shoppers should confirm that the product is included before completing an expensive purchase.
New Mexico: July 31–August 2, 2026
The New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax Holiday ends at midnight on August 2.
Eligible items generally include:
- Clothing and shoes priced under $100 per item
- School supplies priced at $30 or less per item
- Computers priced at $1,000 or less
- Computer equipment priced at $500 or less
Retailer participation in New Mexico may be optional. Before shopping, check whether the store is participating and whether the item meets the state’s requirements.
Tennessee: July 31–August 2, 2026
Tennessee’s back-to-school sales tax holiday also ends on August 2.
Tax-free products include:
- Clothing priced at $100 or less per item
- School supplies priced at $100 or less per item
- Art supplies priced at $100 or less per item
- Computers priced at $1,500 or less
A computer purchased for personal use can qualify, but separately purchased computer parts, storage media, software, video game consoles, and televisions may not.
Clothing accessories, sports equipment, and protective equipment are generally excluded. Always check the product category instead of relying only on the price.
West Virginia: July 31–August 3, 2026
West Virginia shoppers have until Monday, August 3, to use the state’s sales tax holiday.
The price limits are:
- Clothing priced at $125 or less
- School supplies priced at $50 or less
- School instructional materials priced at $20 or less
- Laptop and tablet computers priced at $500 or less
- Sports equipment priced at $150 or less
The limit generally applies to each individual product, not the total transaction. This means families may be able to purchase several qualifying items in one order as long as each item stays within its applicable price cap.
Major 2026 Sales Tax Holidays Starting August 7
The busiest tax-free shopping weekend of 2026 begins Friday, August 7. Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia will all begin sales tax holidays that day.
Illinois: August 7–16, 2026
Illinois is bringing back a back-to-school sales tax holiday after several years without one.
From August 7 through August 16, the state sales tax rate on eligible products will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25%. This is a reduced-tax event rather than a completely tax-free holiday. Applicable local sales taxes may still be charged.
Eligible categories include:
- Clothing and footwear priced under $125 per item
- School supplies
- Art supplies
- Instructional materials
- Certain computer supplies
The $125 limit applies to clothing and footwear, while qualifying school supplies do not have the same individual-item price restriction.
Because local taxes may remain, Illinois shoppers should not expect the checkout total to show zero tax.
Iowa: August 7–8, 2026
Iowa’s sales tax holiday runs for two days only: Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8.
Clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item can qualify. The exemption applies to eligible purchases for adults and children, so shoppers are not limited to school uniforms or children’s clothing.
However, the holiday generally does not cover:
- Computers
- Backpacks
- School supplies
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Sporting equipment
- Protective equipment
Sunday is not included in Iowa’s holiday. Orders should be completed during the official Friday-through-Saturday period.
Missouri: August 7–9, 2026
Missouri’s back-to-school sales tax holiday covers more categories than many other state programs.
Qualifying price limits include:
- Clothing priced at $100 or less per item
- School supplies priced at $50 or less per purchase
- Computer software priced at $350 or less
- Computers and computer accessories priced at $1,500 or less
- Graphing calculators priced at $150 or less
Missouri shoppers can combine store sales, coupons, and tax-free savings for a lower final price. Before purchasing a computer, confirm that both the product and its accessories satisfy the state’s definitions.
Ohio: August 7–9, 2026
Ohio returns to a shorter, traditional three-day sales tax holiday in 2026.
Qualifying products include:
- Clothing priced at $75 or less per item
- School supplies priced at $20 or less per item
- School instructional materials priced at $20 or less per item
Computers, tablets, televisions, and most electronics are not included in Ohio’s 2026 sales tax holiday.
The price cap applies to each item. Splitting the payment between multiple transactions does not make an item priced above the limit eligible.
Oklahoma: August 7–9, 2026
Oklahoma’s tax-free weekend applies mainly to clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item.
Qualifying products may include:
- Shirts and blouses
- Pants and jeans
- Dresses and skirts
- School uniforms
- Shoes and sneakers
- Socks and underwear
- Coats and jackets
School supplies, backpacks, computers, jewelry, and most accessories remain taxable. An eligible item must be priced below $100; an item priced at exactly $100 generally does not qualify.
South Carolina: August 7–9, 2026
South Carolina’s 2026 Tax Free Weekend runs from Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9.
Unlike many other 2026 sales tax holidays, South Carolina does not place a general price limit on most qualifying products. State and applicable local sales taxes are removed from eligible purchases.
Tax-free items include:
- Clothing and footwear
- Clothing accessories
- Backpacks
- School supplies
- Computers
- Printers and printer supplies
- Computer software
- Certain bed and bath products
Smartphones, jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, furniture, and items used in a trade or business generally do not qualify.
Eligible products can be purchased in stores or online. For an online order to qualify, the order must generally be accepted by the retailer during the holiday for immediate shipment.
See the complete rules on the South Carolina Department of Revenue website.
Texas: August 7–9, 2026
The Texas Sales Tax Holiday begins Friday, August 7, and ends at midnight Sunday, August 9.
Most qualifying clothing, footwear, backpacks, and school supplies priced under $100 per item can be purchased tax-free.
Eligible products include:
- Shirts, pants, dresses, and coats
- School uniforms
- Shoes and sneakers
- Backpacks
- Lunch boxes
- Binders and notebooks
- Calculators
- Pens, pencils, markers, and crayons
- Paper, folders, rulers, and scissors
The exemption applies to each eligible item priced below $100. There is no limit on the number of qualifying products shoppers can purchase.
Computers, software, sports equipment, jewelry, handbags, wallets, and most electronic devices are not included.
Online purchases can qualify when the eligible item is ordered and paid for during the official holiday. Shipping and handling charges may be included when determining whether an item remains under the $100 limit.
Check the Texas Comptroller’s Sales Tax Holiday page for the official product lists.
Virginia: August 7–9, 2026
Virginia’s three-day sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 7 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on August 9.
Virginia covers school products as well as selected emergency-preparedness and energy-efficient products.
Qualifying categories include:
- Clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item
- School supplies priced at $20 or less per item
- Certain hurricane-preparedness products
- Qualifying Energy Star products
- Qualifying WaterSense products
The exemption is not limited to students. Anyone can purchase eligible clothing and school supplies for personal use.
Virginia shoppers can also buy approved emergency supplies and energy-efficient household products without paying sales tax, provided the products meet the applicable price limits.
In-store and eligible online purchases can qualify. Review the Virginia Tax Sales Tax Holiday page before purchasing expensive emergency or energy-efficient equipment.
Florida: July 20–August 20, 2026
Florida has one of the longest 2026 sales tax holidays. Its annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday runs from July 20 through August 20.
The following products can qualify:
- Clothing, footwear, wallets, and eligible bags priced at $100 or less per item
- School supplies priced at $50 or less per item
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles priced at $30 or less
- Personal computers and qualifying accessories priced at $1,500 or less
The computer exemption applies to products purchased for personal or noncommercial home use. Desktop computers, laptops, tablets, monitors, keyboards, and certain accessories may qualify.
Cellphones, video game consoles, televisions, digital cameras, and accessories intended mainly for recreation generally remain taxable.
The exemption does not apply to purchases made inside theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishments, or airports. Rentals and repairs of qualifying products are also excluded.
Florida shoppers can confirm individual products on the Florida Department of Revenue Back-to-School page.
Maryland: August 9–15, 2026
Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is scheduled for Sunday, August 9, through Saturday, August 15.
Qualifying clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item can be purchased without paying Maryland’s state sales tax.
Eligible products generally include:
- Shirts and sweaters
- Pants and jeans
- Dresses and skirts
- School uniforms
- Coats and jackets
- Shoes and sneakers
- Socks and underwear
The first $40 of a qualifying backpack or bookbag purchase is also exempt. If a backpack costs more than $40, tax may apply to the remaining portion.
School supplies, computers, jewelry, handbags, briefcases, protective equipment, and sporting equipment are generally not included.
The $100 limit applies to each individual article of clothing or footwear rather than the shopper’s entire transaction.
Massachusetts: August 8–9, 2026
Massachusetts will hold its sales tax holiday on Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9.
Most retail products purchased for personal use and priced at $2,500 or less per item can qualify. This makes Massachusetts’ event broader than most back-to-school tax holidays.
Potentially eligible purchases include:
- Computers and tablets
- Televisions
- Furniture
- Appliances
- School supplies
- Clothing
- Electronics
- Household products
An individual item priced above $2,500 does not qualify, and tax is generally charged on its full price.
Motor vehicles, motorboats, meals, tobacco products, marijuana products, utilities, gasoline, and certain other specifically excluded products remain taxable.
The exemption is available only for personal purchases. Business purchases do not qualify.
There is no limit on the total number of eligible items a shopper can purchase. For example, several separately priced products may qualify as long as each individual product costs $2,500 or less.
Complete details are available in the Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday FAQ.
Connecticut: August 16–22, 2026
Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week begins Sunday, August 16, and continues through Saturday, August 22.
Certain clothing and footwear priced under $300 per item will be exempt from sales tax. The exemption applies to qualifying purchases from Connecticut stores and online retailers.
Eligible products may include:
- Shirts, pants, jeans, and dresses
- Coats and jackets
- School and work uniforms
- Shoes, sneakers, and boots
- Athletic clothing
- Backpacks
- Certain cleated footwear
- Diapers
- Formal clothing
The expanded $300 limit makes Connecticut’s 2026 event more generous than in previous years.
Jewelry, protective sports equipment, handbags, luggage, and products not considered qualifying clothing or footwear may remain taxable.
If an eligible item costs exactly $300 or more, the entire purchase is generally taxable—not merely the portion exceeding the limit.
See the official Connecticut Sales Tax-Free Week page for the qualifying-item list.
Do Online Purchases Qualify for 2026 Sales Tax Holidays?
Online purchases can qualify for many 2026 sales tax holidays, but shoppers must follow the rules of the state where the order is delivered.
In most cases, the order must be placed and paid for during the official exemption period. Leaving a product in an online shopping cart before the holiday does not guarantee the exemption.
Before completing an online purchase:
- Confirm that the delivery address is in a participating state
- Check that the item is specifically eligible
- Make sure the price stays below the state’s limit
- Review shipping and handling charges
- Complete payment before the holiday ends
- Save the confirmation email and receipt
Some states include shipping charges when deciding whether a product exceeds the applicable price limit. Expedited delivery is usually unnecessary, but the retailer must accept the order according to the state’s rules.
Marketplace sellers and national retailers may occasionally calculate tax incorrectly. If tax appears at checkout, check the product category, seller, delivery address, and state requirements before placing the order.
How Coupons and Discounts Affect Eligibility
Store discounts can help an item fall below a state’s price limit.
Suppose a jacket normally costs $110, but a retailer discounts it to $90 during a holiday covering clothing priced under $100. The discounted selling price may allow the jacket to qualify.
Manufacturer rebates can work differently. A rebate received after the purchase may not reduce the item’s taxable selling price.
Gift cards are usually treated as a form of payment rather than a discount. Paying with a gift card normally does not change whether an item qualifies.
When using a coupon, confirm that the discounted price appears before tax at checkout.
How to Save More During Tax-Free Shopping
A sales tax holiday offers modest savings by itself, but combining the exemption with other discounts can make a larger difference.
Make a Shopping List First
Separate necessary purchases from optional products. This prevents tax-free advertising from encouraging unnecessary spending.
Compare the Final Price
A competing retailer’s regular price may still be lower than another store’s tax-free price. Compare the final cost rather than assuming every holiday purchase is a bargain.
Stack Store Discounts
Look for sale prices, promo codes, loyalty rewards, cash-back offers, and credit card rewards that can be combined with the tax exemption.
Check the Price of Each Item
Most state limits apply to each individual item, not the total receipt. Buying several $40 products may be allowed even when the entire order exceeds $100.
Avoid Excluded Accessories
A qualifying computer does not mean every accessory is automatically tax-free. Extended warranties, gaming products, cases, software, or replacement parts may remain taxable.
Keep Your Receipt
Save receipts in case an eligible item is taxed incorrectly or you need to return it. Exchanges completed after the holiday may be handled differently depending on the retailer and state rules.
States Without a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
Not every state offers a temporary back-to-school exemption. California, for example, does not have a statewide back-to-school sales tax holiday in 2026.
Shoppers in states without a holiday can still save by using:
- Retailer back-to-school promotions
- Store coupons and loyalty rewards
- Cash-back shopping portals
- Credit card offers
- Price-match policies
- Open-box and refurbished discounts
- Manufacturer education discounts
Residents of a nonparticipating state generally cannot avoid sales tax simply by ordering from a retailer in a participating state. Online tax is normally based on the location where the product is delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus keyword for this guide?
The focus keyword is 2026 sales tax holidays.
Are all school supplies tax-free?
No. Each state has its own list of eligible school supplies and price limits. Some states cover computers and backpacks, while others cover only clothing and footwear.
Can anyone use a sales tax holiday?
Generally, yes. Most states do not require shoppers to be students, parents, or teachers. However, some exemptions are restricted to items purchased for personal use rather than business use.
Does the price limit apply to the entire order?
Usually not. Most price limits apply to each individual item. A shopper may often purchase multiple qualifying items in the same transaction.
Can a coupon make an item tax-free?
A store coupon or immediate discount may reduce the selling price enough for an item to qualify. A rebate received after the purchase may not reduce the taxable price.
Are Amazon and other online purchases tax-free?
Eligible online purchases may qualify when they are ordered during the official holiday and delivered to an address in the participating state. The product, price, seller, and timing must satisfy the state’s rules.
Are computers included in every tax-free weekend?
No. Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, and Massachusetts cover certain computers, but many other states do not. Always check the official state list before buying electronics.
Can I use a tax-free weekend in another state?
You can shop in another state, but bringing or shipping taxable products to your home state may create a use-tax obligation. The rules depend on the purchase and destination.
How to Plan for 2026 Sales Tax Holidays
Before shopping during the 2026 sales tax holidays, review your state’s official rules and prepare a list of eligible purchases. The dates and product limits for 2026 sales tax holidays vary widely, so checking the details in advance can prevent unexpected taxes at checkout.
Families can get more value from 2026 sales tax holidays by combining tax exemptions with back-to-school sales, retailer coupons, loyalty rewards, and cash-back offers. When shopping online during 2026 sales tax holidays, confirm that the order is completed before the exemption period ends.
Remember that the 2026 sales tax holidays do not automatically make every purchase a bargain. Compare prices across several retailers and buy only the clothing, supplies, computers, or household products you actually need.
Final Thoughts on 2026 Sales Tax Holidays
The 2026 sales tax holidays can reduce the cost of clothing, school supplies, computers, and other household necessities. The most important step is checking the dates, qualifying categories, and price limits before shopping.
Florida’s extended holiday is already underway, while several major events begin August 7. Massachusetts follows on August 8, Maryland on August 9, and Connecticut on August 16.
Create a list, compare prices, apply store coupons, and verify the tax exemption before submitting an online order. A product is not automatically a good deal simply because it is tax-free, but careful planning can turn these temporary exemptions into meaningful back-to-school savings.
ooking for more ways to save? Read our 2026 Back-to-School Deals Guide
Leave a Reply