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17 States Offering Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays in 2024

To offset the cost of back-to-school shopping, these states are offering sales tax holidays for school supplies.

first grader choosing backpack in store for school
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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A number of states across the U.S. have sales tax holidays to help families save on back-to-school shopping. A tax holiday is a period of time when sales tax is waived or reduced on a specific category of items.

In most states, the back-to-school sales tax holidays last a few days in the summer and waive taxes on items like office supplies, clothing, computers, or books. For many, this could help them get ahead financially.

Here are the states and territories that offer back-to-school tax breaks and what items are included during these holidays.

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Alabama

JackF/Adobe young woman and girl in clothes store

When: July 19 - 21

What’s not taxed: Clothing up to $100, computers up to $750, school supplies up to $50, and books up to $30.

Arkansas

RomanR/Adobe different school supplies on a wooden table

When: August 3-4

What’s not taxed: School supplies, electronic devices used for school, clothing and footwear up to $100 per item, and clothing accessories (like handbags and watches) up to $50 per item

Connecticut

JackF/Adobe  positive teenager buying sneakers during shopping in shoe shop

When: August 18-24

What’s not taxed: Clothing and footwear up to $100 per item, excluding some items like accessories and athletic clothing.

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Florida

Korta/Adobe sale of laptops in store

When: July 29-August 11

What’s not taxed: School supplies up to $50, personal computers and computer accessories up to $1,500, learning aids up to $30, clothing (including footwear and some other accessories) up to $100 per item.

Iowa

galitskaya/Adobe The boy tries on clothes in the childrens clothing store

When: August 2-3

What’s not taxed: Clothing and footwear up to $100 per item.

Maryland

Chinnapong/Adobe girl carrying backpack holding hands with mom

When: August 11-17

What’s not taxed: Clothing and footwear up to $100 per item and the first $40 of backpack/bookbag sales.

Massachusetts

Dara/Adobe back to school sale sign

When: August 10-11

What’s not taxed: Qualifying retail items bought for personal use costing $2,500 or less (not limited to school supplies).

Mississippi

Kittiphan/Adobe young woman received online shopping parcel opening boxes

When: July 12-14

What’s not taxed: Clothing, footwear, and school supplies up to $100 per item.

Missouri

mrmohock/Adobe calculator and laptop with tablet on white desk

When: August 2-4

What’s not taxed: Clothing up to $100 per item, personal computers or devices for a computer up to $1,500, basic school supplies up to $50 per item, graphing calculators up to $150, and computer software up to $350.

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New Mexico

Wayhome Studio/Adobe  student in glasses looking through book in his hands

When: August 2-4

What’s not taxed: School supplies up to $30 per item, clothing or shoes up to $100, Computers (desktop, laptop, tablets, or notebook) up to $1,000, and related computer hardware up to $500 per item.

Ohio

georgerudy/Adobe Young people at the book shop

When: July 30-August 8

What’s not taxed: The tax-free period is not limited to school-related supplies and includes anything that is considered tangible personal property up to $500 (except watercraft, anything with an outboard motor that must be titled, a motor vehicle, alcohol, tobacco, a vapor product or a product that contains marijuana). Dine-in meals less than $500 are also tax-free.

Oklahoma

freepeoplea/Adobe woman with daughter buying shoes

When: August 2-4

What’s not taxed: All clothing and footwear up to $100 per item.

South Carolina

Nomad_Soul/Adobe Young woman choosing towel in bed linen store

When: August 2-4

What’s not taxed: Clothing (including shoes and accessories), school supplies, computers, printers, earbuds and headphones, certain bed and bath items, and diapers.

Tennessee

undrey/Adobe Home studio for artist

When: July 26-28

What’s not taxed: Clothing and accessories up to $100 per item, school and art supplies up to $100 per item, and personal computers up to $1,500 per item.

Texas

Angelov/Adobe Happy children ready for primary school

When: August 9-11

What’s not taxed: Most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks up to $100 per item.

Virginia

Pixsooz/Adobe Hand completing Emergency Preparation List by Equipment

When: August 2-4

What’s not taxed: School supplies up to $20 per item, and clothing and shoes up to $100 per item.

West Virginia

kucherav/Adobe man using laptop to work remotely from home

When: August 2-5

What’s not taxed: Clothing up to $125 per item, school supplies up to $50 per item, school instruction material up to $20 per item, laptop and tablet computers up to $500 per item, and sports equipment up to $150 per item.

States with no sales tax

Friends Stock/Adobe woman with credit card buying coffee at cafe

Five states across the U.S. — Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon — never charge sales tax, making them great shopping options if you’re looking to save money.

Several other states — including Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island — don’t tax most clothing items, making them solid options as well. 

However, there are some other tax rules that apply. For example, New York will tax clothing purchases (at the 4% state tax rate) if an item costs more than $110.

Bottom line

New Africa/Adobe Family with little boy choosing school stationery in supermarket

If you live in a state that’s offering a tax holiday, or if you can get to one, saving a few cents on every dollar could really reduce your financial stress during this hectic shopping season.

Before you shop, be sure to check which items are included in your state’s tax holiday. For example, some states have different rules on exactly which items qualify as “clothing” or “accessories” purchases, so it’s helpful to know before you go.

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