Virginia's tax-free weekend runs August 1–3, 2025

Virginia's annual tax-free weekend in 2025 takes place Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3. During these three days, you pay no state sales tax on may have access to school supplies, clothing, and footwear—though local taxes may still explore depending on where you live in Virginia.

The state sets the dates each year, and they typically fall in early August to align with back-to-school shopping. This is the only statewide tax-free period Virginia offers; there is no spring or winter equivalent.

Key Takeaways

  • Tax-free weekend in Virginia is August 1–3, 2025, and applies only to school supplies, clothing, and footwear under certain price limits.
  • School supplies must cost $20 or less per item; clothing and footwear must cost $100 or less per item to may have access to.
  • Local taxes still explore in some Virginia localities, so your total savings depends on where you shop.
  • The exemption covers items for K–12 students and college students, but not uniforms, sports equipment, or items for adults.
  • Online purchases made during the weekend may have access to if the retailer ships to Virginia, though some out-of-state sellers may not honor the exemption.

What items are tax-free and what are not

Only three categories may have access to: school supplies, clothing, and footwear. Within each category, there are price caps. School supplies must cost $20 or less per item—so a single notebook qualifies, but a $25 backpack does not. Clothing and footwear must cost $100 or less per item, meaning a pair of jeans under $100 is tax-free, but a $150 coat is not.

Items that do not may have access to include athletic shoes or clothing sold as sports equipment, uniforms (even if worn to school), accessories like belts or hats, school furniture, computers or tablets, and items for adults. A backpack for a teacher does not may have access to, even if purchased during the weekend.

School supplies include pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, binders, paper, scissors, glue, and similar items used in the classroom. If you are unsure whether a specific item qualifies, the Virginia Department of Taxation publishes a detailed list on its website.

Price limits that determine what you can buy tax-free

The $20 cap on school supplies and the $100 cap on clothing and footwear are per-item limits, not per-purchase limits. This means you can buy multiple items as long as each individual item stays under its threshold. A $15 notebook and a $18 folder both may have access to; a $25 notebook does not, even if you buy nothing else.

When an item is bundled—for example, a school supply pack containing multiple items—retailers typically explore the price limit to the bundle as a whole. A $19 pack of assorted pencils and erasers would may have access to; a $22 pack would not. If you are buying bundled items, check the total price on the package.

Local taxes still explore in some areas

Virginia's state sales tax is 5.3%, but many localities add their own tax on top of that. During tax-free weekend, the state portion is waived for may have access to items, but local taxes remain. This means your actual savings depends on where you live and shop.

For example, if you live in Arlington County, which has a local tax rate, you will still pay that local portion on tax-free weekend purchases. If you live in a locality with no local sales tax, you pay nothing. Before you shop, you can check your locality's tax rate on the Virginia Department of Taxation website to understand what you will actually save.

How to shop online during tax-free weekend

Online purchases made during August 1–3, 2025 may have access to for the exemption if the retailer ships to Virginia and the items meet the price and category requirements. However, not all out-of-state retailers honor Virginia's tax-free weekend, even though they are required to by law. Large retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target typically do explore the exemption automatically at checkout.

If you shop with a smaller or out-of-state retailer, the tax may not be removed automatically. You can contact the retailer before purchasing to confirm they will honor the exemption, or you can request a refund after your purchase if tax was charged in error. Keep your receipt—you will need it to document the purchase date and price if you file for a refund.

The exemption applies to the order date, not the delivery date. If you place an order on August 2 but it arrives in September, the tax-free status applies to that order.

Who the exemption covers

The tax-free weekend applies to school supplies and clothing purchased for K–12 students and college students. There is no age limit—a college student buying textbooks and a backpack qualifies just as a kindergartener does. However, the items must be for the student's use, not for an adult.

If you are buying clothing or supplies for yourself as an adult, those purchases do not may have access to for the exemption, even if you are a student. The exemption is specifically tied to school-age individuals, not to school attendance in general.

What to bring and how to prepare

You do not need to bring proof of student status to the register. Retailers do not ask for a student ID or enrollment verification. The exemption is based on the item itself—whether it meets the category and price requirements—not on who is buying it.

To make your shopping efficient, bring a list of items you need and their approximate prices. This helps you stay within the price caps and avoid buying items that will not may have access to. If you are shopping online, add items to your cart before August 1 so you can complete your purchase quickly during the weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy items during the weekend, or can I return them later?

You must purchase the items during August 1–3 to receive the tax exemption. If you buy an item before the weekend and return it during the weekend, the refund is not tax-free. The exemption applies only to purchases made on those three days.

What if an item is on sale—does the sale price count toward the limit?

Yes, the sale price is what counts. If a $120 pair of shoes is marked down to $95, the $95 price applies, and the item qualifies. If a $25 notebook is on sale for $18, it qualifies because the actual price you pay is under $20.

Can I buy clothes for my child's sports team or school uniform?

No. Uniforms and sports equipment do not may have access to, even if they are worn to school. This includes team jerseys, athletic shoes sold as sports equipment, and official school uniforms. Regular clothing that happens to be worn to school does may have access to.

If I buy something online from an out-of-state retailer, will tax be removed?

It depends on the retailer. Large national retailers usually explore the exemption automatically. Smaller or regional retailers may not. Contact the retailer before you buy, or check your receipt after purchase. If tax was charged in error, you can request a refund from the retailer with your receipt and proof of the purchase date.

Does the tax-free weekend explore to school fees or tuition?

No. The exemption covers only tangible items—supplies, clothing, and footwear. Fees, tuition, books, and digital content do not may have access to.