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Summer is here, but back-to-school shopping season is already upon us – and so are states’ tax-free weekends. Below, you can check to see if your state is hosting a back-to-school tax free weekend this year, and if so when that tax-free weekend takes place. We’ve rounded up all the tax-free weekend, tax-free week and sales tax holidays for 2024, so you can get your back-to-school shopping done for less. Given the pressure inflation has been exerting on our budgets these past couple years, tax-free weekends can be a smart time to shop and save.
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What are Tax-Free Weekends?
During tax-free weekends (weeks, in some cases), participating states cut sales tax on certain items and make back-to-school shopping a little more affordable. This is why they are often referred to as back-to-school tax free weekends.
This means, if you shop at a retailer (online and in-store) in a state while that state is running its tax-free holiday, you’ll pay no sales tax. No paperwork or coupon is required, the state sales tax will just be waived at checkout, assuming you make a purchase that’s covered under your state’s tax-free weekend. All states offering tax-free weekends place some restrictions on what you can buy tax free.
And, yes, national retailers are required to participate in tax-free weekends in the states they do business in. So, as long as you’re shopping during your state’s tax-free weekend or tax-free week IN that state, you won’t pay sales tax at retailers like Walmart, Amazon and Target. And if you’re shopping online, you just need to make sure the shipping and billing address are for the state you’re hoping to score tax-free savings in.
Note that some municipalities charge their own local taxes, and those are NOT always waived, even during tax-free weekend.
We’ve confirmed 20 states are holding tax-free weekends or weeks in 2024. In 2023, 17 states participate. Virginia took a break, but it’s back for 2024. Meanwhile, New Jersey had a tax-free weekend in 2023 and is out for 2024.
When is Tax-Free Weekend?
The tax-free weekend dates vary by state, but most states hosting tax-free shopping events throw them in August. In fact, there is a cluster of states that throw sales tax holidays during the first weekend of August. A few tax-free shopping weekends take place in July, and a few stretch into the very beginning of September. Most of the tax holidays begin at 12:01 a.m. and end at midnight.
Note that some states, including Texas and Florida, also offer extra tax-free holidays for severe weather preparedness and eco-friendly purchases.
Tax-Free Weekend Dates By State for 2024
Below you will find a list of all the states hosting back-to-school tax free weekends this year, as well as the states offering tax-free weeks and weekends at other points of the year. In the graphic below, you will see all the states hosting a tax-free weekend in 2024 highlighted in color.
Image: GettyImages x RMNAlabama Tax-Free Weekend
When is Alabama Tax-Free Weekend?
July 19, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. to July 21, 2024 at midnight.
What Items Are Tax Free:
- Clothing $100 or less per item
- Computers $750 or less
- School supplies $50 or less per item
- Books $30 or less per book.
Note: The thresholds listed above are per ITEM, not per cart. So, for example, that means you can load up your cart with more than $100 of clothing, and it’s all tax free as long as each item is $100 or less.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Some items are restricted, including gaming systems, handbags, helmets, sport clothing and more.
Alaska Tax-Free Weekend*
When is Alaska Tax-Free Week?
October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024
*Note: Alaska does not assess a state sales tax rate. The state constitution allows municipalities to assess a local option sales tax. Only one municipality (Skagway Borough) passed a resolution enacting a local sales tax holiday during the dates listed above. Find out more details here.
Arkansas Tax-Free Weekend
When is Arkansas Tax-Free Weekend?
Aug. 3, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. to Aug. 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
What Items Are Tax Free:
- Clothing and footwear under $100 per item
- Accessories (including cosmetics!) under $50 per item
- Select electronic devices (no price limit)
- Select school supplies (no price limit)
- School art supplies (no price limit)
- Diapers
Diapers ARE included in the tax-free weekend, making them a smart item to stock up on. Cosmetics are also tax free. Also make note: The electronics category has no price restrictions, so Arkansas residents should definitely hone in on those big-ticket items like laptops and tablets.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Some items are restricted, including costumes and clothing used for sports. Electronics must be “devices commonly used by a student in the course of study,” so no gaming consoles, folks. Another bit of fine print to be aware of: If you use a store coupon to reduce the item’s price below the threshold, congrats – it’s now tax free. Not so for manufacturers’ coupons – if you use one of those, it’s the original price tag that determines whether an item is tax free.
Connecticut Tax-Free Weekend
When is Connecticut Tax-Free Week?
Aug. 18 to Aug. 24 in 2024. Connecticut’s sales tax holiday is guaranteed by state statute to run from the third Sunday of August to the following Saturday every year.
What Items Are Tax Free: Connecticut residents won’t pay tax on clothing and footwear under $100 per item.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Anything besides clothing and footwear. Also, no rebates! Even if the rebate would push the price down below $100, that doesn’t count, because you receive that rebate later. However, immediate discounts (like coupons or promo codes) can be used to push the cost of the item below $100, making it tax free.
Florida Tax-Free Weekend
When is the Florida Sales-Tax Holiday?
The month of July (Freedom Month, for outdoor recreation purchases) AND July 29 to Aug. 11 (school supplies).
What Items Are Tax Free: Florida is holding two tax-free weeks this summer:
- Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday: For the whole month of July 2024, sales tax will be waived on fishing supplies, outdoor recreation equipment, admissions to state parks and admissions to museums. The price threshold varies. For example, you can get waived sales tax on snorkeling equipment priced $25 or less; kayaks priced $500 or less; fishing rods priced $75 or less; and sunscreen priced $15 or less. The list is long, and you can find it here. Last year, Freedom Month was called Freedom Summer, and it ran Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: Florida’s second tax-free event is the more traditional sales-tax holiday for back-to-school shopping, which runs July 29 to Aug. 11 in 2024. It includes:
- Clothing/footwear $100 or less per item
- Select school supplies $50 or less per item
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles $30 or less per item
- Personal computers $1,500 or less (for noncommercial use only)
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Anything outside of the categories listed above. Also, if you use layaway or a buy now, pay later service, you can still get your stuff tax free if you ship your order during the sales tax holiday OR place an item on layaway during the sales tax holiday. Learn more about tax-free weeks in Florida.
Iowa Tax Free Weekend
When is Iowa Tax-Free Weekend?
Aug. 2 at 12:01 a.m. to Aug. 3 at 11:59 p.m. in 2024.
What Items Are Tax Free: Clothing or footwear selling for less than $100 (per item) is not taxed over the weekend.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Note that backpacks are still taxable, as they don’t count as clothing. If you’re unsure of which items “count” as clothing, check out this list. A note for BOGO shoppers: If you’re using a buy one, get one free deal, it’s the cost of both items that determines if you get them tax free. For example, if boots are buy one, get one free, and the first pair costs $110, you’ll pay tax – you can’t average the cost and insist each pair is just $55.
Louisiana Tax Free Weekend
When is Louisiana Tax-Free Weekend?
Sept. 6 to Sept. 8, 2024
What Items Are Tax Free: Specified ammunition, firearms and hunting supplies.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Items that fall outside of the cateogry listed above. Note this tax-free weekend only applies to consumer purchases, not business or commercial purchases.
Maryland Tax-Free Week
When is Maryland Tax-Free Week?
Aug. 11 at 12:01 a.m. to Aug. 17 at midnight in 2024.
What Items Are Tax Free: Clothing and footwear priced $100 or less; the first $40 of backpack or bookbag.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Anything outside of the categories listed above. Note that if you’re shopping online, as long as your eligible item is paid for and the retailer accepts your order during the Maryland tax-free holiday, you’ll pay no taxes. So be wary if you’re shopping something that’s out of stock and the order will be completed at a later date.
Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend
When is Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend?
Aug. 10 and 11, 2024
State law defines the tax-free weekend as occurring “in August,” and requires the Commissioner of Revenue to declare the dats “no later than July 1.” The dates for 2024 were announced June 13.
What Items Are Tax Free: The Massachusetts sales tax holiday is always a good one. Most retail goods for personal use priced at $2,500 or less are tax free. Yes, you read that right. Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend is really just that flexible.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Items that are not elligible for tax-free savings include motor vehicles, motorboats, meals, telecommunication services, gas, steam, electricity, tobacco products, marijuana and marijuana products. Note: If you spend more than $2,500 per item, you’ll need to pay tax on the whole amount. But clothing is a (slight) exception: In the state of Massachusetts, the first $175 of an item of clothing is tax exempt anyway. So, if a piece of clothing you purchase during Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend is more than $2,500, the first $175 is not taxable. Keep that in mind when shopping that designer suit.
Mississippi Tax-Free Weekend
When is Mississippi Tax-Free Weekend?
Friday, July 12 at 12:01 a.m. to Sunday, July 14 at 11:59 p.m. Fun fact, Mississippi was the first state to adopt sales tax in 1930.
What Items Are Tax Free: Clothing, school supplies and footwear costing less than $100 per item.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Backpacks are not included. See the full list of tax-free and taxable items. In Mississippi, layaway does not qualify for the tax-free holiday. But here’s an advantage Mississippi has: Unlike in some other states, shipping costs for online orders are not included in the sales price, meaning they won’t bump up an item outside of tax-free status.
Missouri Tax-Free Weekend
When is Missouri Tax-Free Weekend?
Aug. 2 at 12:01 a.m. to Aug. 4 at midnight in 2024.
What Items Are Tax Free:
- Any article of clothing, including footwear, with a taxable value of $100 or less
- School supplies not to exceed $50 per purchase
- Graphing calculators not to exceed $150
- Computer software with a taxable value of $350 or less
- Personal computers less than $1,500.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: See a full list of exemptions here. Note that headphones are not included in Missouri’s tax-free weekend.
New Jersey Tax-Free Week
When is New Jersey Tax Free Week?
New Jersey will not be holding a tax-free weekend in 2024. In 2023, the sales tax holiday in New Jersey ran from Aug. 26 through Sept. 4, 2023.
New Mexico Tax-Free Weekend
When is New Mexico Tax-Free Weekend?
Aug. 2 at 12:01 a.m. to Aug. 4 at midnight in 2024. State law defines it as taking place “during the first weekend of August” every year.
What Items Are Tax Free:
- Clothing or shoes priced at less than $100 per item
- Computers and tablets priced at up to $1,000
- Related computer hardware up to $500
- Sschool supplies for under $30 per item
What Items Are Not Tax Free:: Note that retailers are not required to participate in New Mexico’s tax-free weekend, so ask before you shop. Check out a full list of exceptions.
Ohio Tax-Free Weekend (Longer for 2024!)
When is Ohio Tax-Free Weekend?
July 30 at 12:01 a.m. to Aug. 3 at 11:59 p.m. in 2024. (Extended to 10 days, from just three days last year!)
What Items Are Tax Free: Good news! Ohio’s 2024 tax-free week includes all tangible personal property that is $500 or less. Upgrade! Last year, it applied only to clothing priced at $75 per item or less, school supplies or school instructional material priced at $20 per item or less and instructional materials less that $20 per item.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Items not eligible include watercraft, motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vaping products and more. Learn more about Ohio tax-free weekend.
Oklahoma Tax-Free Weekend
When is Oklahoma Tax-Free Weekend?
Aug. 2 to Aug. 4, 2024
What Items Are Tax Free: Clothing and footwear priced under $100.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Accessories, athletic footwear and protective gear are excluded. As in most states, rainchecks are not valid. If an item sells out during Tax-Free Weekend, too bad.
South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend
When is South Carolina Tax-Free Weekend?
Aug. 2 to Aug. 4 in 2024. The South Carolina Department of Revenue’s site still has the 2023 information up, but the law defines the weekend as taking place the first Friday to Sunday of August.
What Items Are Tax Free: Clothing, accessories, footwear, school supplies, computers, software, printers and bed & bath supplies. The South Carolina Tax-Free weekend is unique in that it has no dollar limits on eligible purchases. The bed and bath category (unique to the state) includes bath mats, bedding, towels, shower curtains, mattress pads, blankets and more.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Items that fall outside of the list shown above. See a full list here.
Tennessee Tax-Free Weekend
When is Tennessee Tax-Free Weekend?
When: July 26 at 12:01 am. to July 28 at midnight in 2024. (In 2023, Tennessee also offered a state sales-tax holiday on groceries, but it’s not doing the same this year, likely due to a decrease in state revenue.).
What Items Are Tax-Free: Clothing and school supplies that cost $100 or less per item; and computers that are $1,500 or less.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: For the back-to-school tax-free weekend, accessories and bags are excluded. Meanwhile, printer supplies, software and flash drives are excluded from the “computers” category.
Texas Tax-Free Weekend
When is Texas Tax-Free Weekend?
Aug. 9 to Aug. 11, 2024
What Items Are Tax Free: Most clothing, footwear, school supplies, swimwear and backpacks priced at less than $100 are free from sales and use taxes.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Items that fall outside the list shown above. By the way, if you’re shopping online, as long as you enter your credit card info into an online shopping website during the Texas tax-free weekend, you’re all good. However, if your credit card is declined and you don’t re-submit in time, your purchase will be taxed. Learn more about Texas tax-free weekend.
Virginia Tax-Free Weekend (BACK for 2024!)
When is Virginia Tax-Free Weekend?
Aug. 2 at 12:01 a.m. to Aug. 4 at 11:59 p.m. in 2024. Virginia didn’t have a tax-free holiday in 2023, due to the original law expiring. A new law now guarantees to for the next five years.
What Items Are Tax Free: School supplies at $20 or less per item. Qualified clothing and footwear at $100 or less per item. You can also get hurricane-preparedness items and Energy Star and WaterSense products ($2,500 or less per item) and emergency-preparedness products tax-free during the weekend.
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Items that fall outside the list shown above. See the full list of what’s included and excluded here.
West Virginia Tax-Free Weekend
When is West Virginia Tax-Free Weekend?
When: Aug. 2 at 12 a.m. to Aug. 5 at 11:59 p.m. in 2024.
What Items Are Tax Free:
- Clothing with price of $125 or less
- School supplies priced $50 or less
- School instruction material priced $20 or less
- Laptops and tablets priced $500 or less
- Sports equipment priced $150 or less
What Items Are Not Tax Free: Items outside of the list above. Also, note, if you’re shopping online, the retailer’s current time will determine whether your sales tax will be waived. For example, if you’re in West Virginia shopping online, but the seller is located in California, you have to wait until it’s midnight in the Pacific time zone to get waived sales tax.
Is Tax-Free Weekend Online?
Yes! In all states offering tax-free weekend, you can shop online and NOT pay sales tax during those states’ sales tax holidays. So how does a retailer know you’re shopping in the right state? It boils down to your delivery address. If you’re shipping to a state that is having a tax-free week or weekend and you place your order during that time, your sales tax will automatically disappear in your cart. We tried it during the Texas tax-free weekend, when we shopped it last year:
Image: Walmart.comKeep the following rules in mind when shopping online during tax-free weekend:
- Complete your purchase (including payment) during your state’s tax-free weekend (some have fine print regarding shopping from sellers in different time zones, so you might miss out if you shop a couple hours too soon or too late).
- Make sure the retailer you shop online is actively doing business in your state during tax-free weekend.
- Make sure items you purchase qualify and meet the terms for tax-free status.
- Make sure you live in the participating state (this is usually determined by your shipping/billing address).
Does Amazon Participate in Tax-Free Weekend?
On the topic of online shopping, you might be wondering if Amazon allows you to shop tax-free during your state’s tax-free weekend. You’ll be pleased to know, it does! As noted above, you will need to shop during the dates of your state’s tax-free weekend and your delivery address will need to coorespond with the state hosting a tax-free weekend.
Do I have to be a State Resident to Shop Tax-Free Weekend?
Nope! Nobody is checking your driver’s license or proof of residency at the register. If your state isn’t offering a tax-free holiday, but a nearby state is, you can fully take advantage. If you’re shopping online, though, you’ll need to have you order delivered within the state that’s offering the sales tax holiday.
States Not Hosting a Tax-Free Weekend 2024
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- 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
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin has offered tax-free weekends in the past, but the legislature hasn’t approved such an event for this year.
- Wyoming
Where to Shop During Tax-Free Weekend
Since tax-free weekends are often referred to as back-to-school tax free weekends, we suggest shopping at all the retailers you would normally frequent for school supplies and new clothes for the school year. You can check out our guide to the best back-to-school sales to shop this year. Beyond Amazon, Target and Walmart, retailers like Kohl’s, Macy’s and Old Navy tend to host major sales and can be visited online or in person.
If you aren’t shopping for school supplies, depending on where you live, now might be the time to make a big computer purchase at Apple or Best Buy or get that coat you’ve been eyeing for fall at Nordstrom.
Tips for Making the Most Out of Tax-Free Weekend
Live in a state that’s offering a sales tax holiday? Follow these tips to shop smart and avoid disappointment at checkout:
1. Make a shopping list
At the end of the day, state sales taxes are about 4% to 10% (depending on whether local/municipal taxes are included in the state’s holiday). That translates into a $4 to $10 discount off $100. So don’t use tax-free weekend as an excuse to fill up your cart with things you don’t need.
2. Hone in on big-ticket items in some states
If your state includes pricey electronics and computers in its tax-free weekend, take full advantage. Even if your state sales tax amounts to just a 7% discount, that’s $70 off a $1,000 laptop.
3. Know which items qualify
Understanding which items qualify for the tax-free discount will eliminate a lot of headaches and unnecessary spending. For example, many states’ tax-free weekend sales take place around back-to-school time, so school supplies and school uniforms may qualify for tax-free status but a similar item, such as a backpack or laptop bag, may not.
4. Show up early
All the smart shoppers in your state know it’s tax-free weekend. So shop as early as you can to maximize selection. Most states don’t offer tax-free rainchecks, so if an item you want sells out, you’re out of luck.
5. Use coupons
Don’t get so caught up in the excitement of paying no sales tax that you forget to use coupons and promo codes. In some cases, these will also knock down the price of an item to within the tax-free threshold, in states that have one. Regardless, using a coupon and getting a tax-free “discount” lets you stack your savings. These stores offered the best-back-to-school sales last year. And don’t forget to install our Deal Finder browser extension, which finds and automatically applies online promo codes for you.
6. Shop tax-free weekend online
Is tax-free weekend also online? You bet. Don’t let crowds and the fuss of in-store shopping stop you from saving. All states participating in tax-free weekend 2024 will allow you to shop online for qualifying items.
7. Keep shipping costs in mind
Shipping costs do complicate matters. In some states, shipping costs don’t factor into the item’s cost, meaning you don’t have to worry about shipping fees bumping your item above the tax-free threshold. In some states, the opposite is true and you do have to worry about shipping costs messing with the tax-free status of your item. And, if you have both eligible and ineligible items in your online shopping cart, some states’ laws require the retailer to divvy up the shipping costs among all the items and … well … we’re confused, too. Know your state’s policy before you shop and, if things get complicated, consider placing an order of eligible items only.
8. Take advantage of cash-back shopping
Our cash-back offers give you up to 15% cash back from plenty of retailers that you want to shop for back to school. Just click through on one of our cash back offers, shop as you normally would and receive a percentage of your purchase BACK via Venmo or PayPal. Think of cash back as savings on top of savings. Not only will you get your state’s sale tax waived, you’ll get a cash-back bounty to spend on more school supplies or anything else you want. And, if you don’t live in a state that offers a tax-free weekend, cash back is a flexible way to save on back-to-school supplies.
The post Tax-Free Weekends 2024: Sales Tax Holidays by State appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
