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Guide to Back to School Tax-Free Weekend 2024: For All States!

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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.

wording on a chalkboard background for Back to School Tax-Free Weekend

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.

a bunch of colorful school supplies on a wood background

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.

STATEDATESELIGIBLE ITEMS/MAX COST PER ITEM
AlabamaJuly 19 – 21Clothing / $100 or less
Computers / $750 or less
School supplies / $50 or less
Books / $30 or less
ArkansasAug 3 – 4Clothing / $100 or less
Clothing accessories / $50 or less
School art supplies, school instructional materials,
school supplies, certain electronics
Connecticut Aug 18 – 24Clothing and footwear / less than $100 uniforms
and select gear included.
School supplies / No maximum
FloridaJuly 29 – Aug. 11School supplies / $50
Clothing, footwear, and accessories / $100
Computers and accessories / $1,500
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles / $30
IowaAug 2 – 3Clothing, footwear, and diapers / $100 or less
MarylandAug 11 – 17Clothing, footwear, and diapers / $100
Backpacks & book bags / $40 or less
Massachusetts Aug 10 – 11Retail items for personal use / $2,500
MississippiJuly 12 – 14Clothing and footwear / $100 or less
Select school supplies / $100 or less
MissouriAug. 2-4Clothing / $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 JerseyAug 24 – Sept 2School and art supplies / No maximum
Instruction materials / No maximum
Computers / $2,999.99 or less
New MexicoAug 2 – 4Clothing, diapers & footwear / $100 or less
Computers / $1,000 or less
Computer equipment / $500
School supplies / $30 or less
OhioAug 2 – 4Clothing, diapers / $75 or less
School supplies & instructional materials / $20 or less
OklahomaAug 2 -4Clothing, diapers, and footwear / $99.99 or less
South CarolinaAug 2 -4Items include clothing, accessories, diapers, footwear,
school supplies, computers, software, printers,
musical instruments for school, and
certain bed and bath supplies / No maximum
TennesseeJuly 26 – 28Clothing / $100 or less
School supplies / $100 or less
Computers / $1,500 or less
TexasAug 9 – 11Clothing, backpacks, and school supplies / $99.99 or less
VirginiaAug 2 – 4Clothing / $100 or less
School supplies / $20 or less
West Virginia Aug 2 – 5Clothing 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
Sources: Federation of Tax Administrators; state tax and revenue departments.
Clothes on hangers shopping for Back to School Tax-Free Weekend

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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!

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