Save on your back to school items in your state
If you live in one of 16 participating states, you can take advantage of these special shopping holidays to purchase school supplies, electronics, clothes and footwear without paying sales tax. You can even enjoy tax savings on purchases made online as long as you live in the state taking part, shop at participating retailers and buy qualifying items during your state’s tax-free period. Most major retailers like Kohl's and Staples participate, but make sure to check your eligibility.
Stocking up on back-to-school items during tax-free sales can lead to major savings, especially on expensive things like computers. Depending on where you live, you might save as much as $150 during this time. Read on to learn everything you need to know about shopping during tax-free weekend in your state.
States Participating in Tax-free Weekend 2021
Arkansas, Aug. 7-8
Details: Over two days, Arkansans won’t pay sales tax on all clothing and footwear purchases less than $100, accessories totaling less than $50 and select school supplies.
Connecticut, Aug. 15-21
Details: For a full week, Connecticut residents pay no sales tax on most clothing and footwear under $100, excluding athletic uniforms and gear.
Florida, July 31-Aug. 9
Details: Florida’s sales tax event includes purchases of clothing, footwear and accessories costing less than $60. It also exempts most school supplies under $15. But, the best part is there’s no sales tax on the first $1,000 of the price of new computers and accessories.
Iowa, Aug. 6-7
Details: Iowans get tax relief on purchases of clothing and footwear totaling less than $100. Certain items are excluded, including watches and sporting equipment.
Maryland, Aug. 8-14
Details: During this weeklong event, residents enjoy a break from paying sales tax on clothing and footwear purchases under $100, though accessories are excluded. Additionally, there is no sales tax on the first $40 of the price of backpacks.
Massachusetts, Aug 14-15
Details: Almost everything priced at $2,500 or less qualifies for this tax-free weekend. Certain items are excluded from the promotion, including vehicles, boats, food, utilities, tobacco and marijuana products.
Mississippi, July 30-31
Details: All purchases of clothing and footwear qualify for tax savings as long as each item is $100 or less. Backpacks are excluded.
Missouri, Aug. 6-8
Details: Residents of the Show Me State can save a bundle during this tax-free period, which includes all clothing and footwear purchases of $100 and under. Additionally, no sales tax will be charged on school supply purchases of $50 and less; graphing calculators under $150; computer software up to $350; and computers less than $1,500.
New Mexico, Aug. 6-8
Details: Not all retailers participate in New Mexico’s tax-free weekend. But, if they do, you’ll pay no sales tax on clothing and shoes costing $100 or less per item. The savings also apply to computers less than $1,000, hardware less than $500 and school supplies costing $30 or less.
Ohio, Aug. 6-8
Details: In Ohio, you’ll enjoy sales-tax-free purchases on clothing for $75 and less and school supplies and instructional materials for $20 per item and less.
Oklahoma, Aug. 6-8
Details: No sales tax will be charged on all clothing and footwear purchases less than $100. However, accessories and most athletic gear are excluded.
South Carolina, Aug. 6-8
Details: With one of the best sales tax events, shoppers in South Carolina will enjoy tax savings on clothing, accessories, computers, school supplies and select home goods.
Tennessee, July 30-Aug. 1
Details: Tennessee’s tax-free weekend includes savings on everything for back to school, including clothing items for under $100; school supplies costing less than $100 per item; and computers priced $1,500 or less.
Texas, Aug. 6-8
Details: Everything is bigger in Texas, including its sales and use tax deal, which applies to most clothing, swimwear, footwear, backpacks and school supplies under $100.
Virginia, Aug. 6-8
Details: Virginia is for lovers … of tax-free weekend, where shoppers can save on school supplies under $20 per item and select clothing and footwear less than $100 per item.
States that never charge sales tax:
- Alaska
- Delaware
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
States not participating this year
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming