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 state sales tax on most clothing, footwear, and school supplies under $2,500 per item.

The state sets these dates each year, and they typically fall in mid-to-late August to align with back-to-school shopping. Mark your calendar now if you plan to buy clothes or school gear that week — the savings add up quickly on larger purchases.

Key Takeaways

  • Massachusetts tax-free weekend runs August 18–25, 2024, and removes state sales tax from clothing, footwear, and school supplies under $2,500 per item.
  • Items like coats, pants, shirts, socks, shoes, and belts are covered; items like hats, gloves, and swimwear are not.
  • School supplies include notebooks, pens, pencils, and calculators, but not electronics like laptops or tablets.
  • The $2,500 per-item limit means a $3,000 coat is taxed on the full amount, not just the overage.
  • Local cities and towns cannot add their own sales tax during this period, so the full state rate is removed statewide.

What Clothing and Footwear Count

Clothing and footwear under $2,500 are tax-free during the weekend. This covers everyday items: coats, jackets, pants, jeans, shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, socks, underwear, belts, and shoes of all kinds. If you need winter or summer clothes, this is the time to buy.

Items that do not count include hats, gloves, scarves, swimwear, athletic supporters, and protective equipment like helmets or shin guards. Accessories such as ties, scarves, and handbags are also taxed. The rule is straightforward: if it covers the body as clothing or footwear and costs under $2,500, it is tax-free.

School Supplies That Are Tax-Free

School supplies under $2,500 are also tax-free. This includes notebooks, notepads, binders, folders, dividers, pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, erasers, pencil boxes, rulers, protractors, compasses, calculators, and scissors. If your child needs supplies for the classroom, this week saves you the state sales tax on those items.

Electronics do not count, even if they are used for school. Laptops, tablets, printers, and computer mice are all taxed normally. The same applies to furniture like desks or chairs. The tax-free list covers consumable and basic school supplies, not technology or large items.

The $2,500 Per-Item Rule and How It Works

Each individual item must cost under $2,500 to be tax-free. This is not a total purchase limit — you can buy as many items as you want. But if a single item costs $2,500 or more, the entire price of that item is taxed at the full state rate.

For example, a $1,500 winter coat is tax-free. A $3,000 winter coat is fully taxed. A pair of $80 shoes is tax-free. Five pairs of $80 shoes are all tax-free. The limit applies to each item separately, not to your total receipt.

Where You Can Shop Tax-Free

The tax-free weekend applies to all retailers in Massachusetts — department stores, specialty shops, online retailers with Massachusetts addresses, and big-box stores. You do not need a special coupon or membership. At checkout, the cashier removes the state sales tax automatically if the item qualifies.

If you shop online from a Massachusetts retailer during the tax-free weekend, the tax should not be charged. If it is, contact the retailer. Out-of-state online retailers may not remove the tax even if they ship to Massachusetts, because they may not be registered to collect Massachusetts sales tax. Check the retailer's policy before you buy.

What Happens to Local Sales Tax

Massachusetts has a state sales tax of 6.25 percent. Some cities and towns add a local option tax of 0.75 percent on top of that. During tax-free weekend, both the state tax and the local option tax are removed. You pay nothing extra, no matter where in Massachusetts you shop.

This applies statewide — there are no exceptions by city or town. If you live in a town with a local option tax, you still get the full break during the weekend.

Items That Are Always Taxed, Even During Tax-Free Weekend

Some items are taxed no matter when you buy them. Meals and food are always taxed. Gasoline is always taxed. Haircuts and services are always taxed. Furniture, appliances, and electronics are always taxed. Swimwear, athletic supporters, and costume pieces are always taxed.

If you are unsure whether something counts, ask the cashier before you buy. They have a list of what qualifies. When in doubt, assume it is taxed — that way you will not be surprised at checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return items bought during tax-free weekend and get the tax back if I return them after?

No. Once the tax-free weekend ends, the tax applies again. If you return an item after August 25, the refund is based on the price you paid, which included no tax. You do not get a tax refund because no tax was charged when you bought it.

Do online orders placed before tax-free weekend but delivered during it count as tax-free?

No. The tax is based on when the item is delivered to you, not when you order it. If it arrives during tax-free weekend, it should be tax-free. If it arrives before or after, it is taxed. Check the delivery date before you order.

What if I buy a $2,400 item and a $200 item together — is the total over the limit?

No. The $2,500 limit applies to each item separately. A $2,400 item and a $200 item are both under $2,500, so both are tax-free. You could buy ten items at $2,400 each and they would all be tax-free.

Are uniforms for school or work covered?

School uniforms are covered if they are clothing — a uniform shirt or uniform pants under $2,500 is tax-free. Work uniforms are also covered. The rule is the same as regular clothing: if it covers the body and costs under $2,500, it is tax-free.

Does tax-free weekend explore to gift cards?

No. Gift cards are not tax-free. When you use a gift card to buy clothing or school supplies during tax-free weekend, those items are tax-free — but the gift card itself is not.