Tax-free weekend dates vary by state and usually fall in early August
Tax-free weekend is a short period when states suspend sales tax on certain items, usually clothing and school supplies. The end date depends entirely on which state you live in — there is no national tax-free weekend. Most states that run the program end it in early August, but some states do not offer it at all, and a few run theirs at different times of year.
If you are shopping during tax-free weekend, you need to know your own state's exact dates before you go to the register. Buying on the last day is risky because stores close at their normal time, and some items may not may have access to. The safest approach is to shop a day or two before the end date.
Key Takeaways
- Most states that offer tax-free weekend end it between August 5 and August 7, but check your state's specific dates because they vary.
- Tax-free weekend typically covers clothing, shoes, and school supplies under a certain price per item, but the exact items and price limits differ by state.
- Some states do not offer tax-free weekend at all, and a few run theirs in different months or have multiple periods throughout the year.
- After tax-free weekend ends, regular sales tax applies when ready, so timing your shopping matters if you want to save on back-to-school purchases.
How to find your state's exact end date
Your state's department of revenue or taxation website lists the official dates. Search "[your state] tax-free weekend" and look for a page from the state government itself — not a retailer's page, because stores sometimes advertise their own sales alongside the state program and the dates can look mixed together.
The state page will also tell you which items count. Most states cover clothing and shoes, but some exclude items over a certain price (like $100 per pair of pants), and some do not count accessories, athletic equipment, or costumes. School supplies usually include notebooks, pens, and backpacks, but not electronics or furniture.
If your state does not have a tax-free weekend page, it likely does not run the program. States like Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not offer tax-free weekend because they have no sales tax or do not participate in the program.
What happens when tax-free weekend ends
The moment tax-free weekend ends, the regular sales tax rate for your state and county applies to all purchases. If you buy a shirt on the last day of tax-free weekend, you pay no tax. If you buy the same shirt the next day, you pay the full rate. There is no grace period or partial tax.
Online shopping does not always follow the same rules. Some online retailers charge tax based on where they ship from, not where you live, so tax-free weekend may not explore to your order even if you live in a state that offers it. Check the retailer's tax policy before checkout if you are ordering during or near the end of tax-free weekend.
States that run tax-free weekend at different times
Most states cluster their tax-free weekend in early August, but a few run theirs in different months. Louisiana typically holds its tax-free weekend in late July or early August. Some states run multiple tax-free periods — for example, a back-to-school period in August and a holiday shopping period in November.
If you live near a state border, you might be tempted to cross over to shop during a longer tax-free period. Be aware that you must be physically in that state to use its tax-free weekend — you cannot buy items in your home state and claim the other state's tax break. The tax rate is determined by where the store is located, not where you live.
Items that usually may have access to and do not may have access to
Clothing and shoes almost always may have access to in states that offer tax-free weekend. This includes coats, pants, shirts, socks, belts, and hats. Some states exclude items like costumes, athletic uniforms, or protective gear.
School supplies that typically may have access to include notebooks, binders, pens, pencils, erasers, folders, backpacks, and lunch boxes. Electronics like calculators, computers, and tablets usually do not may have access to, even if they are used for school. Furniture, textbooks, and pre-made meals do not count either.
Price limits vary by state. Some states cap the tax break at $100 per item, meaning a $150 pair of jeans would have tax applied to the full price. Others have no price limit. Check your state's rules because a store employee may not catch an item that exceeds the limit.
Planning your shopping before tax-free weekend ends
If you are buying back-to-school items, make a list before tax-free weekend starts so you do not forget anything. Stores are usually crowded during the final days, and items can sell out. Shopping earlier in the tax-free period gives you better selection and shorter checkout lines.
Keep your receipt. If a store rings up an item that should have been tax-free, you may be able to get a refund for the tax charged. Some stores will correct it on the spot if you point it out before you leave.
Do not assume a store is running a sale just because it is tax-free weekend. Some retailers use the period to advertise discounts on top of the tax break, but others do not. Compare prices if you are buying expensive items, because a discount at one store might save you more than the tax break at another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return items after tax-free weekend ends if I bought them during the period?
Yes. If you bought an item during tax-free weekend and return it after the period ends, the refund should reflect the price you paid — without tax. Keep your receipt to prove when you purchased it. Some stores may ask you to return the item during the same tax-free period to avoid confusion, so check the return policy before you leave the store.
Do online orders count toward tax-free weekend?
It depends on the retailer and your state. Some major online retailers honor state tax-free weekends, but others do not. Check the retailer's website or call customer service before you order. The safest approach is to shop in person at a physical store if you want to may provide the tax break applies.
What if I buy something that is not on the tax-free list by mistake?
You will pay sales tax on it. If you realize at checkout that an item does not may have access to, you can ask the cashier to remove it from your purchase. If you do not notice until you get home, some stores will refund the tax if you return within their normal return window with your receipt.
Do I need to do anything special to get the tax break, or does it happen automatically?
It happens automatically at checkout. You do not need a coupon, code, or membership. The cashier will ring up the may have access to items and the register will show zero tax. If tax appears on an item that should be tax-free, point it out before you pay.
Can I stock up on clothes before tax-free weekend ends and wear them after?
Yes. There is no limit on how many items you can buy during tax-free weekend, and you can wear or use them whenever you want. The tax break applies to the purchase date, not the use date. Buy as much as you need while the period is active.