When Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend Happens

Massachusetts holds its annual tax-free weekend in August. For 2024, the dates are August 18 through August 25. During this week, you pay no sales tax on certain clothing and school supplies when you buy them in Massachusetts or online from Massachusetts retailers.

The state sets these dates each year, and they typically fall in mid-to-late August to align with back-to-school shopping. If you're planning to buy items during this window, mark your calendar now—the week fills up quickly, and some stores run out of popular items.

Key Takeaways

  • Massachusetts tax-free weekend runs August 18–25, 2024, and removes the 6.25% sales tax from may be able to access clothing and school supplies.
  • Clothing items under $175 per piece are tax-free; anything over that price is taxed normally, even if it's a single item.
  • School supplies like notebooks, pens, and backpacks are tax-free with no price limit, but electronics and sports equipment do not may have access to.
  • The tax break applies to purchases made in Massachusetts stores and from Massachusetts-based online retailers during the exact dates.
  • Shoes, belts, and accessories count as clothing and are tax-free if they cost less than $175.

What Clothing Is Tax-Free

Any piece of clothing that costs less than $175 is tax-free during the weekend. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, coats, underwear, socks, and hats. If a single item costs $175 or more—say, a winter coat priced at $200—you pay tax on the full amount. The $175 limit applies per item, not per purchase.

Shoes and belts are treated as clothing and follow the same $175 rule. Accessories like scarves, gloves, and hair clips also count. However, items that are not worn on the body—like handbags, wallets, or luggage—do not may have access to, even though you might carry them with you.

Sports equipment and protective gear like helmets, goggles, and knee pads are not tax-free, even though you wear them. The state treats these as equipment rather than clothing.

Which School Supplies may have access to

School supplies have no price limit and are all tax-free during the weekend. This includes notebooks, notepads, pens, pencils, markers, erasers, rulers, scissors, glue, tape, folders, binders, and backpacks. Calculators used for math class also may have access to.

Items that do not may have access to include computers, tablets, printers, and other electronics—even if you buy them for school use. Sports equipment like baseball gloves or soccer cleats does not count either. Books are also taxed normally; the tax-free weekend does not cover them.

If you're unsure whether something counts, ask the cashier before you buy. Stores are familiar with the rules and can tell you on the spot.

Where You Can Shop Tax-Free

The tax break applies to purchases made in physical Massachusetts stores during August 18–25. It also applies to online purchases from Massachusetts-based retailers if the order is placed during those dates. If you order from a retailer based outside Massachusetts, you will likely owe tax even if the item ships to you in Massachusetts.

Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and local clothing stores all participate. You do not need a special coupon or membership—the tax is straightforward removed at checkout. If you're shopping online, check the retailer's address or contact them to confirm they are based in Massachusetts.

How the $175 Clothing Price Limit Works

The $175 limit is straightforward but worth understanding clearly. If you buy a shirt for $100, you pay no tax. If you buy a coat for $175, you pay no tax. If you buy a coat for $176, you pay tax on the entire $176—the state does not split the difference.

This means a single expensive item can cost you more than you might expect. If you're shopping for winter coats or formal wear, check the price tag before you buy. Some stores may offer lower-priced versions of the same item to stay under the limit.

The limit resets for each item you buy. If you purchase five shirts at $50 each, all five are tax-free. If you purchase one coat at $200, the entire coat is taxed.

Tax Savings You Can Expect

Massachusetts sales tax is 6.25%, so your savings depend on how much you spend. If you buy $200 worth of tax-free clothing and school supplies, you save $12.50. If you buy $500 worth, you save $31.25. These savings add up quickly during back-to-school season, when families often buy multiple items.

The best strategy is to plan your shopping before the weekend starts. Make a list of what you need, check prices at different stores, and buy everything during August 18–25 if possible. This is especially helpful for families buying school clothes and supplies for multiple children.

What Happens If You Buy Before or After the Weekend

If you buy clothing or school supplies on August 17 or August 26, you pay the full 6.25% sales tax. The tax-free status applies only to purchases made during the exact dates: August 18 through August 25, 2024. There is no grace period before or after.

Some stores may advertise "tax-free weekend" sales starting earlier or running later, but those are marketing promotions, not the official state tax break. The state tax is only removed during the official weekend dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Massachusetts resident to get the tax break?

No. Anyone shopping in Massachusetts during tax-free weekend can use it, regardless of where they live. If you live in a neighboring state and drive to Massachusetts to shop, you pay no tax on may be able to access items.

Can I return items bought during tax-free weekend and get the tax refunded?

No. Once the purchase is complete and tax-free, you cannot return it later and claim a refund. The tax break is applied at the time of purchase only.

Are online orders shipped to Massachusetts from out-of-state retailers tax-free?

No. Only Massachusetts-based retailers offer the tax break on online orders. If you order from a retailer based in another state, you will owe tax even if the item ships to your Massachusetts address.

What if an item is on sale during tax-free weekend—do I save more?

Yes. The tax break stacks with any sale price the store is already running. If a shirt is marked down 20% and normally costs $100, you pay $80 with no tax added. You get both the sale discount and the tax savings.

Does the tax-free weekend explore to gift cards?

No. Buying a gift card is not tax-free. However, if you use a gift card to buy may be able to access clothing or school supplies during the weekend, those items are tax-free at checkout.