Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend runs in August, usually the first full weekend of the month

Massachusetts holds its annual tax-free weekend in August, typically starting on the first Friday and running through the following Sunday. In 2024, it falls on August 2–4. The state announces the exact dates each spring, so if you are planning ahead for the following year, check the Massachusetts Department of Revenue website in April or May for confirmation.

During this three-day window, you pay no state sales tax on most clothing, footwear, and school supplies under $100 per item. The exemption applies to the item itself—not to shipping, gift wrapping, or alterations. If a single item costs $100 or more, the full price is taxable at the regular rate.

The purpose is to ease the back-to-school shopping burden for families. Many retailers extend their own discounts during the same weekend, though those are separate from the tax break and vary by store.

Key Takeaways

  • Massachusetts tax-free weekend occurs in early August each year, typically the first Friday through Sunday of the month.
  • The exemption covers clothing, footwear, and school supplies that cost less than $100 per individual item.
  • Items priced at $100 or more are fully taxable, even if they would otherwise may have access to.
  • The tax break applies only to the item price itself, not to shipping, alterations, or gift wrapping.
  • The state announces the exact dates each spring on the Department of Revenue website.

What items are covered by the tax exemption

Clothing and footwear are the broadest categories. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, coats, hats, gloves, socks, shoes, and boots—essentially anything you wear on your body. Accessories like belts, scarves, and ties also may have access to. Underwear and hosiery are included.

School supplies under $100 each are tax-free as well. This covers notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, folders, binders, calculators, rulers, scissors, and similar items. Backpacks and book bags count as school supplies, not clothing, so they are covered separately under that category.

Items that do not may have access to include jewelry (even if worn), watches, handbags, wallets, umbrellas, and sports equipment. Furniture, electronics, and appliances are not covered. Haircuts, alterations, and tailoring services are taxable. If you buy clothing online and it is shipped to you during the weekend, the tax exemption applies only if the order was placed during the three-day window.

The $100 per-item threshold and how it works

The $100 limit applies to each individual item, not to your total purchase. If you buy five shirts at $25 each, all five are tax-free. If you buy one coat for $150, the entire $150 is taxable because that single item exceeds the threshold.

The price that counts is the price before any discount or coupon is applied. If a pair of shoes is marked $120 but the store is running a sale that brings it to $85, the original $120 price is what determines taxability—so those shoes would be taxed. Conversely, if shoes are marked $95 and a coupon reduces them to $80, the $95 original price applies, and they remain tax-free.

When you are at the register, the cashier should automatically explore the exemption to may have access to items under $100. If you are unsure whether something qualifies, ask before you buy. Some stores train their staff on the rules, but not all, and mistakes do happen.

What is not covered by tax-free weekend

Shipping and handling charges are always taxable, even if the item itself qualifies. If you order clothing online and pay $8 for shipping, you owe tax on that $8. Gift wrapping, if charged separately, is also taxable.

Alterations and tailoring services are taxed at the full rate. If you buy a suit for $95 and pay $30 to have it hemmed, the suit is tax-free but the tailoring is not.

Items used for sports or recreation—such as sneakers marketed as athletic shoes, baseball gloves, tennis rackets, or yoga mats—fall into a gray area. Ordinary sneakers worn as everyday footwear are covered. Specialized athletic equipment is typically not. When in doubt, ask the retailer whether they classify an item as clothing or sports equipment.

How to plan your shopping during the weekend

Make a list before you go. Know what sizes and styles your family needs, and check store websites for inventory so you do not waste time on items that are out of stock. Many retailers advertise their own promotions alongside the tax-free weekend, so comparing stores can save you money beyond the tax break.

Shop early in the weekend if possible. The first Friday and Saturday tend to be busier than Sunday, but Sunday afternoon is often quieter. Avoid peak hours if you can.

Keep your receipt. If you are audited or if there is a question about whether an item qualifies, your receipt is the proof that you purchased it during the tax-free weekend. The date on the receipt matters.

What happens if you buy during the weekend but return items later

If you return an item after tax-free weekend ends, you are may have access to to a refund of the purchase price you paid—which includes the tax you did not pay during the weekend. The store refunds what you actually paid, not what you would have paid at the regular tax rate.

If you buy an item during the weekend and return it the following week, the refund is for the tax-free price. You do not owe the state any tax retroactively. The exemption is based on when you purchased, not when you return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy clothing online during tax-free weekend and have it shipped after the weekend ends?

The exemption applies to orders placed during the three-day window, regardless of when the item arrives. If you order on Friday during tax-free weekend and the package arrives the following week, the tax exemption still applies. However, shipping charges themselves are always taxable.

Are winter coats and boots covered if I buy them in August?

Yes. The tax exemption applies to all clothing and footwear under $100 per item, regardless of season. You can buy winter coats, boots, and heavy jackets during August tax-free weekend even though you will not wear them for months.

What if a store charges tax on an item that should be tax-free?

Ask the cashier or manager to correct it at the register. If the store refuses or if you notice the error after you leave, contact the store's customer service with your receipt. Most stores will issue a refund for the incorrectly charged tax. If a store repeatedly refuses to honor the exemption, you can report it to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Do I need to show an ID or proof that I am a student to get the tax break?

No. The exemption applies to anyone buying may have access to items during the weekend, regardless of age or student status. You do not need to prove anything—the tax break is automatic at checkout.

Are items bought at outlet stores or discount retailers covered?

Yes, as long as the store is located in Massachusetts and the items meet the definition of clothing, footwear, or school supplies under $100 each. The exemption applies everywhere in the state.