Which Items Are Tax-Free During Tax-Free Weekend

Tax-free weekend exempts specific school supplies, clothing, and footwear from sales tax for a set period each year. The exact items covered depend on your state — there is no federal tax-free weekend, and each state that runs one sets its own rules about what qualifies.

Most states that offer tax-free weekend cover clothing and shoes with no price limit, school supplies under a certain dollar amount per item (often $20 to $100), and sometimes computers or educational technology. Some states add items like art supplies, sports equipment, or school uniforms. A few states exclude certain categories altogether — for example, some do not cover athletic shoes or designer clothing.

The dates vary by state as well. Most run the event in early August, but some start in late July or early September. Your state's revenue or taxation department publishes the exact dates and the complete list of what counts as tax-free in your state.

Key Takeaways

  • Tax-free weekend covers school supplies, clothing, and footwear, but the specific items and price limits differ by state.
  • Most states set a per-item price cap on school supplies (commonly $20 to $100) but no limit on clothing and shoes.
  • The dates and rules change each year, so check your state's tax department website before you shop.
  • Items like computers, sports equipment, and art supplies may be covered in some states but not others.
  • Tax-free weekend applies only to in-store and online purchases made during the official dates your state announces.

School Supplies That Usually may have access to

School supplies typically include notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, folders, binders, calculators, and paper. Backpacks and lunch boxes often count as well. Most states cap the tax-free amount per item — if a notebook costs $25 and your state's limit is $20, you pay tax on the $5 overage.

Items that usually do not count as school supplies include textbooks, sports equipment, art supplies for hobbies (rather than school), and technology like tablets or laptops — though some states have added computers to their lists in recent years. Check your state's specific list, because a calculator might be tax-free in one state and taxed in another.

Clothing and Footwear Rules

Clothing and shoes are tax-free in most states that run tax-free weekend, and most states do not set a price limit on these items. This means a $200 winter coat and a $15 pair of socks both may have access to. However, some states exclude certain types of clothing — athletic wear, formal wear, or items considered accessories rather than clothing.

Footwear almost always qualifies, but a few states draw lines around specialty shoes. For example, some exclude cleats, skis, or roller skates. Accessories like belts, hats, scarves, and gloves are usually covered, but jewelry and watches typically are not. Again, your state's tax department publishes the exact rules.

Technology and Computers

Some states have expanded tax-free weekend to include computers, tablets, and educational software, especially after remote learning became common. However, not all states cover technology, and those that do often set price limits. A state might make laptops under $1,500 tax-free but tax more expensive models.

Peripherals like keyboards, mice, and monitors may or may not be covered depending on your state. Software and apps are rarely included. If you are planning to buy a computer during tax-free weekend, confirm with your state's tax department that it qualifies and that the price is within any limit your state sets.

Items That Are Never Tax-Free

Certain items are excluded from tax-free weekend in every state that runs the program. These include food and beverages, sports equipment (unless your state specifically includes it), toys, games, and entertainment items. Furniture, even if it is a desk for a student's room, is taxed.

Items used for purposes other than school — such as camping gear, athletic equipment for sports leagues, or art supplies for hobbies — do not may have access to. Clothing for special purposes, like costumes or formal wear for events unrelated to school, may be taxed in some states. Services like alterations or dry cleaning are always taxed.

How to Know What Your State Covers

Your state's revenue department, department of taxation, or comptroller's office publishes a complete list of tax-free items before the event begins each year. Search "[your state] tax-free weekend" plus the current year to find the official list and dates. Many states also publish a downloadable PDF or a searchable database of items.

If you are unsure whether a specific item qualifies, contact your state's tax department directly or ask the store cashier before you check out. Some retailers also post the state's tax-free list in-store or on their website during the event. Do not assume an item qualifies based on what was covered last year — states sometimes change their rules.

Shopping During Tax-Free Weekend

Tax-free weekend applies to purchases made during the official dates your state announces — typically a three-day period in August. The exemption applies to both in-store and online purchases, though some states have different rules for online orders shipped to addresses outside the state.

You do not need a special coupon, code, or registration to receive the tax break. The tax straightforward does not explore at checkout if the item qualifies and you are buying during the official dates. Keep your receipt in case you need to return an item or if you want to verify that the correct tax was charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every state have a tax-free weekend?

No. About 17 states run tax-free weekend programs, but the exact number changes as states add or remove the program. States without sales tax do not run tax-free weekends. Check your state's tax department website to see if your state participates and when the dates are.

Can I return items bought during tax-free weekend and get the tax refund?

No. If you return an item, you get back the price you paid, which did not include tax. You cannot claim a tax refund for items purchased tax-free. Keep your receipt if you think you might return something.

Do online purchases count toward tax-free weekend?

Yes, in most states. Online orders shipped to an address in your state during the tax-free weekend dates are usually exempt from tax. However, some states have different rules for out-of-state sellers or orders shipped outside the state. Check your state's rules if you are ordering from another state.

What if an item is on sale during tax-free weekend — do I save more?

Yes. If a shirt is on sale for $10 and normally costs $15, you pay $10 with no tax added. The discount and the tax exemption stack together. This is why tax-free weekend is popular for back-to-school shopping.

Can I buy items for someone else during tax-free weekend?

Yes. You can purchase tax-free items for anyone — a child, a friend, a relative — as long as the items may have access to and you buy them during the official dates. There is no restriction on who the buyer is or who the items are for.