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Last Updated on July 31, 2024 by Alaina
Looking to save on back-to-school? This guide will help you find the exact dates your state offers their back to school tax-free weekend so you can stock up and save.
With prices continuing to soar these days, finding ways to save is more important than ever. Did you know you can avoid paying sales tax on certain items if you shop at the right times? Knowing when your state offers their tax-free weekend can help you stretch your budget further – especially when looking for ways to save on back to school shopping!
Check out this list of back to school sales tax holidays to score the best deals on clothing, supplies, and more!
What’s a Sales Tax Holiday?
A sales tax holiday is a special time when many states waive sales tax on specific items. Usually, these tax-free perks are available for just a weekend, but sometimes they last even longer.
These holidays do differ from state to state, and not every state offers them. Additionally, in some places, the state sales tax is waived, but local taxes might still apply.
How Do Back to School Tax-Free Weekends Work?
While these holidays are meant to help you save on particular items, they usually limit what you can buy tax-free based on the product and the price. For example, you might get a computer without paying sales tax if it’s under $1,000, but computers over $1000 will not qualify. It is still work looking though.
Where Can I Shop?
Most big retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target will be in on the tax-free fun. That means you can enjoy tax-free shopping online if you make your purchase during your state’s designated dates.
However, smaller retailers might not participate since they may not collect tax in every state. I always keep an eye out for special ads and announcements during Alabama’s Back to School Tax-Free Weekend to see if an online retailer is participating.
Even if your state’s date hasn’t arrived yet, you can bookmark your favorite shopping sites for future reference when your time comes!
When Can You Shop Tax-Free for Back to School in 2024?
Here’s a helpful guide to the states offering Back to School Tax-Free Weekend 2024 and what items you can buy tax-free, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators and each state’s Department of Revenue and Tax.
STATE | DATES | ELIGIBLE ITEMS/MAX COST PER ITEM |
Alabama | July 19 – 21 | Clothing / $100 or less Computers / $750 or less School supplies / $50 or less Books / $30 or less |
Arkansas | Aug 3 – 4 | Clothing / $100 or less Clothing accessories / $50 or less School art supplies, school instructional materials, school supplies, certain electronics |
Connecticut | Aug 18 – 24 | Clothing and footwear / less than $100 uniforms and select gear included. School supplies / No maximum |
Florida | July 29 – Aug. 11 | School supplies / $50 Clothing, footwear, and accessories / $100 Computers and accessories / $1,500 Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles / $30 |
Iowa | Aug 2 – 3 | Clothing, footwear, and diapers / $100 or less |
Maryland | Aug 11 – 17 | Clothing, footwear, and diapers / $100 Backpacks & book bags / $40 or less |
Massachusetts | Aug 10 – 11 | Retail items for personal use / $2,500 |
Mississippi | July 12 – 14 | Clothing and footwear / $100 or less Select school supplies / $100 or less |
Missouri | Aug. 2-4 | Clothing / $100 or less Computers / $1,500 or less Computer software / $350 or less Diapers / $100 or less School supplies /$50 or less Graphic calculators / $150 or less |
New Jersey | Aug 24 – Sept 2 | School and art supplies / No maximum Instruction materials / No maximum Computers / $2,999.99 or less |
New Mexico | Aug 2 – 4 | Clothing, diapers & footwear / $100 or less Computers / $1,000 or less Computer equipment / $500 School supplies / $30 or less |
Ohio | Aug 2 – 4 | Clothing, diapers / $75 or less School supplies & instructional materials / $20 or less |
Oklahoma | Aug 2 -4 | Clothing, diapers, and footwear / $99.99 or less |
South Carolina | Aug 2 -4 | Items include clothing, accessories, diapers, footwear, school supplies, computers, software, printers, musical instruments for school, and certain bed and bath supplies / No maximum |
Tennessee | July 26 – 28 | Clothing / $100 or less School supplies / $100 or less Computers / $1,500 or less |
Texas | Aug 9 – 11 | Clothing, backpacks, and school supplies / $99.99 or less |
Virginia | Aug 2 – 4 | Clothing / $100 or less School supplies / $20 or less |
West Virginia | Aug 2 – 5 | Clothing and diapers / $125 or less School supplies / $50 or less School instructional materials / $20 or less Sports equipment / $150 or less Computer or tablet / $500 or less |
Tips for Maximizing Your Savings
Want to get the most out of these Back to School Tax-Free Weekend 2024 holidays? Here are a few tips to help you save big:
- Plan Your Big Purchases: If you’re gearing up for back-to-school shopping, hold off on major buys like laptops until the tax-free days in July or August. For emergency supplies, wait for the specific tax-free periods throughout the year.
- Mind the Price Caps: Remember, only items priced at or below the set limits qualify for tax-free status. If the limit is $100 on clothing, each piece must be $100 or less to be eligible.
- Check for Exclusions: Make sure to visit your state’s tax website for any specific exclusions. For example, in New Mexico, sports uniforms and bathing suits might not be included in the tax-free deal, even if clothing is.
- Explore Additional Savings: Don’t stop at tax holidays! Check out consignment shops, use coupons and/or coupon apps, and install browser extensions that help you find deals and compare prices to save even more.
Stay informed and plan your shopping around these 2024 Back to School tax-free days to make the most of your savings. Happy shopping!