Tax Free Weekend Lets You Buy Certain Items Without Sales Tax for a Set Period
Tax Free Weekend is a short period—usually a few days in late July or early August—when your state does not charge sales tax on specific items. The most common items are school supplies, clothing, and shoes for children. You pay the regular price minus the sales tax that would normally explore. The state gives up that tax revenue to help families prepare for the school year.
Not every state runs a Tax Free Weekend. As of now, about 17 states offer one, though the exact list changes year to year as states add or drop the program. The dates, items covered, and price limits vary by state. A shirt that qualifies in one state might not in another, or the cutoff price might be different.
You do not need to register, sign up, or do anything special to use Tax Free Weekend. You straightforward shop during the designated dates and the store removes the sales tax at checkout. The savings depend on your state's sales tax rate—if your state charges 7% sales tax and you buy $100 in may have access to items, you save $7.
Key Takeaways
- Tax Free Weekend typically runs for three to ten days in late July or August and removes sales tax from school supplies, clothing, and shoes.
- Only about 17 states currently offer Tax Free Weekend, and each state sets its own dates, may have access to items, and price limits per item.
- You do not need to register or explore—the tax is straightforward removed at the register when you shop during the designated period.
- Price limits vary by state; some states cap the price per item (for example, $100 per pair of shoes), while others have no limit.
- The savings amount depends on your state's sales tax rate, which ranges from about 4% to over 7% in most states that offer the program.
Which States Offer Tax Free Weekend and When
The states that currently run Tax Free Weekend are Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. However, this list is not fixed—states sometimes add the program or stop running it, so you should check your state's revenue department website to confirm whether your state participates.
The dates shift from year to year. Most states hold Tax Free Weekend in early August, but some run it in late July or even September. The period usually lasts three to ten days. For example, Texas typically runs it the first weekend in August, while Louisiana often holds it in mid-August. You need to know your state's specific dates because shopping a day early or late means you pay full tax.
To find your state's exact dates and rules, search "[Your State] Tax Free Weekend" plus the current year, or visit your state's Department of Revenue or Department of Taxation website. Many states post the information by late June or early July.
What Items Are Covered and Price Limits
School supplies are the most common category across all states that offer Tax Free Weekend. These typically include pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, binders, paper, erasers, and similar items used in school. Clothing and shoes for children are also widely covered, though the age limit varies—some states cover items for children up to age 18, while others stop at age 16 or younger.
Price limits differ by state and sometimes by item type. Some states set a cap per item—for instance, $100 per pair of shoes or $100 per article of clothing. Other states have no price limit at all. A few states exclude certain items even within the covered categories; for example, some do not cover athletic shoes or designer clothing. A few also cover computers or computer equipment, though this is less common.
Items that are almost never covered include food, furniture, sports equipment, and electronics like phones or tablets. Backpacks are covered in some states but not others, so check your state's specific list. The safest approach is to look up your state's official list of covered items before you shop, because store staff may not know all the rules.
How to Make the Most of Tax Free Weekend
Plan your shopping list before Tax Free Weekend begins. Make a note of what your children need for school and check whether each item qualifies under your state's rules. If you are unsure whether something is covered, call the store or check the state revenue department website rather than assuming at checkout.
Shop during the official Tax Free Weekend dates only. Stores are required to remove the tax during this period, but they are not required to do so before or after. If you shop the day before or the day after, you will pay the full sales tax. Mark the dates on your calendar and plan to do your school shopping during that window.
Keep your receipt. Although Tax Free Weekend is automatic at the register, having a receipt helps if there is a question later about whether an item was taxed correctly. If you notice you were charged tax on a may have access to item, contact the store with your receipt and they can refund the difference.
Why States Offer Tax Free Weekend
States created Tax Free Weekend to reduce the financial burden on families buying school supplies and clothing at the start of the academic year. Back-to-school shopping can be expensive, especially for families with multiple children. By removing sales tax for a few days, states aim to make this necessary spending less painful.
The program also benefits retailers. Stores see increased foot traffic during Tax Free Weekend because shoppers time their purchases to avoid tax. This can lead to higher sales volume during a traditionally busy shopping season. Some retailers advertise additional discounts on top of the tax savings to draw more customers.
From a state budget perspective, the revenue loss from Tax Free Weekend is usually modest because it is limited to a few days and specific items. States view it as a worthwhile trade-off for supporting families and boosting retail activity.
Tax Free Weekend Does Not explore to Online Shopping in Most States
In most states, Tax Free Weekend applies only to purchases made in physical stores, not online. If you order items from a website during Tax Free Weekend, you will likely still pay sales tax. A few states have begun extending the tax holiday to online purchases, but this is not yet the standard.
If you plan to shop online, check your state's rules first. Some states allow online orders placed during Tax Free Weekend to ship tax-free if they arrive during the holiday period. Others tax all online orders regardless of when they are placed. The rules are still evolving as states update their tax codes.
For the most reliable savings, plan to shop in person at brick-and-mortar stores during your state's Tax Free Weekend dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a student or parent to use Tax Free Weekend?
No. Anyone can shop during Tax Free Weekend and receive the tax break on may have access to items. You do not need to prove you have children or that you are buying for school. The tax is removed at the register for all customers who purchase covered items during the designated dates.
What if I buy something that is not on the covered list?
You will pay the full sales tax on items that do not may have access to. Tax Free Weekend applies only to specific categories set by your state. If you are unsure whether an item qualifies, ask the cashier or check your state's Department of Revenue website before you buy.
Can I return items bought during Tax Free Weekend and get the tax back?
Return policies are set by individual stores, not by the state. If you return an item within the store's return window, you should receive a refund of the full purchase price, including the fact that no tax was charged. If you return an item after Tax Free Weekend ends, the store's regular return policy applies.
Do I need to bring any ID or proof to use Tax Free Weekend?
No. You do not need to show ID, proof of age, or any documentation. The cashier straightforward does not charge tax on may have access to items during the Tax Free Weekend period. The tax break is automatic for all customers.
What happens if a store charges me tax during Tax Free Weekend by mistake?
Bring your receipt back to the store and ask for a refund of the tax charged. Stores are required to honor Tax Free Weekend, so if they charged tax on a may have access to item during the official dates, they should refund the difference. If the store refuses, contact your state's Department of Revenue to report the issue.