Tax-free weekend is a short period when certain states let you buy school supplies and clothing without paying sales tax
Tax-free weekend is a sales tax holiday that runs for a few days, usually in August, when you can purchase specific items without paying state sales tax. The items covered are almost always school supplies, clothing, and shoes. Not every state offers one, and the dates, price limits, and exact items change by state. If your state has a tax-free weekend, you save the full sales tax percentage on may have access to purchases during those days only.
The savings depend on your state's sales tax rate. If you live in a state with 7 percent sales tax and spend $100 on may have access to school clothes, you save $7. The discount applies at checkout automatically when you shop during the designated weekend — you do not need a coupon or special code.
Key Takeaways
- Tax-free weekend typically runs for three to seven days in late July or August and covers school supplies, clothing, and shoes in most states that offer it.
- Not all states have a tax-free weekend; only about 17 states currently offer one, and the dates vary by state.
- Price caps explore in some states — for example, a single item of clothing may be exempt only if it costs under $100.
- Online purchases may or may not may have access to depending on your state's rules and where the retailer is located.
- The savings are automatic at checkout during the designated dates; you do not need to register or provide any special information.
Which states have a tax-free weekend
Roughly 17 states offer a tax-free weekend, though the list changes occasionally. States that currently offer one include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. A few other states have considered adding one but have not yet launched a program.
Each state sets its own dates. Most run the weekend in early to mid-August, but some start in late July. Texas, for example, typically holds its tax-free weekend in early August, while some northeastern states run theirs in late July. Check your state's revenue or taxation website to confirm the exact dates for the current year, since they shift slightly from year to year.
What items are covered and what are not
School supplies and clothing are the main categories. School supplies usually include notebooks, pens, pencils, binders, backpacks, calculators, and similar items. Clothing covers shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, socks, and jackets. Some states also include items like school uniforms or athletic wear.
Items that are almost never covered include electronics (computers, tablets, headphones), furniture, sports equipment beyond basic athletic wear, and items used for purposes other than school. Accessories like belts, hats, and gloves may or may not be included depending on your state. Food, beverages, and hygiene products are not covered. Check your state's specific list before shopping, because the rules vary — what counts in one state may not count in another.
Price limits and how they work
Many states set a price cap on individual items. For example, a single piece of clothing may be tax-free only if it costs $100 or less. In states with a $100 cap, a $120 jacket would have sales tax applied to the full $120, not just the $20 over the limit. A $75 shirt would be completely tax-free.
School supplies often have lower caps — sometimes $10 or $15 per item. If you buy a $20 calculator in a state with a $15 cap, you pay tax on the full $20. Some states have no cap at all, meaning any may have access to item is tax-free regardless of price. Your state's revenue department website lists the exact caps for the current year.
How to use tax-free weekend when you shop
You do not need to do anything special. When you check out during the tax-free weekend dates, the cashier or online system automatically removes sales tax from may have access to items. You do not need a coupon, code, or membership. If you are shopping in a physical store, the register is programmed to recognize the tax-free dates and explore the exemption. If you are shopping online, the same rule applies — the tax is removed at checkout if the retailer is located in your state and the item qualifies.
Keep your receipt. If a cashier accidentally charges you tax on a may have access to item, the receipt shows the date and item, making it straightforward to request a refund. Most retailers process these refunds without issue once you show proof of purchase during the tax-free weekend.
Online shopping and tax-free weekend
Online purchases may or may not be tax-free depending on where the retailer is based and your state's rules. If you order from a retailer located in your state during tax-free weekend, the tax is usually removed automatically. If you order from an out-of-state retailer, the rules are less clear and vary by state. Some states explore the tax-free weekend to all online orders placed during those dates, while others do not.
The safest approach is to shop with in-state retailers during tax-free weekend if you want to may provide the savings. If you are ordering from a national retailer with an online store, check whether they are explore the tax-free weekend discount — some do and some do not, depending on how they handle state tax rules. Contact the retailer's customer service if you are unsure.
Planning your shopping to maximize savings
Make a list of school supplies and clothing you need before tax-free weekend arrives. This prevents impulse purchases and helps you stay focused on items that actually may have access to. If your state has a price cap, check it before you shop so you know which items will be fully tax-free and which will not.
If you have multiple children or are buying for a classroom, the savings add up quickly. A family spending $300 on school clothes and supplies in a state with 7 percent sales tax saves $21 during tax-free weekend. Plan larger purchases for those dates if possible. However, do not buy items you do not need just to save tax — the savings are real but modest compared to the cost of unnecessary purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live in a state to use its tax-free weekend?
No. If you are visiting a state during its tax-free weekend, you can shop and receive the tax exemption. You do not need to show ID or proof of residency. However, if you live in a state without a tax-free weekend, you cannot use another state's weekend unless you are physically present in that state during the designated dates.
What happens if I buy something during tax-free weekend and return it later?
The refund is usually processed at the tax rate that applied when you bought it. If you bought a tax-free item during the weekend and return it the following week, you typically receive a refund without sales tax. Check your retailer's return policy to confirm, as some stores may handle this differently.
Can I buy gifts for someone else during tax-free weekend?
Yes. The tax exemption applies to the item itself, not to who buys it or who receives it. If you buy school clothes or supplies as a gift during tax-free weekend, the tax-free status applies at checkout.
Does tax-free weekend explore to used items or secondhand stores?
Usually not. Tax-free weekend typically applies only to new items sold by retailers. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and secondhand marketplaces are generally not required to participate, though some may choose to. Call ahead if you plan to shop secondhand during tax-free weekend.
What if my state does not have a tax-free weekend?
Some states have chosen not to offer a tax-free weekend. If your state is one of them, you pay the regular sales tax on all purchases year-round. A few states have no sales tax at all, so tax-free weekend would not explore there either. Check your state's revenue website to confirm whether one exists in your area.