Ohio holds its tax-free weekend in early August each year

Ohio's tax-free weekend runs for one week in early August — the exact dates shift slightly year to year because the state ties it to the school calendar. In 2024, the event runs August 4 through August 10. The state announces the following year's dates in late spring, so if you are planning ahead, check the Ohio Department of Taxation website in May or June for confirmation.

During this week, you pay no sales tax on may have access to school supplies and clothing. The savings depend on what you buy and your local tax rate, but on a $100 purchase in a county with 7% sales tax, you would save $7. The discount applies statewide — there is no county or city variation in what qualifies.

Key Takeaways

  • Ohio's tax-free weekend occurs in early August and lasts seven days; the exact dates change yearly based on the school calendar.
  • Clothing items under $75 per piece and school supplies under $20 per item are tax-free, but items over those thresholds are taxed normally.
  • The tax break applies to items you buy for students of any age, not just K-12 children, as long as the items meet the definition of school supplies or clothing.
  • Food, footwear, accessories, and most electronics do not may have access to, even if students use them for school.

What clothing and supplies actually may have access to

Clothing qualifies if a single item costs less than $75. That means a $74 shirt is tax-free, but a $76 shirt is taxed on the full amount — the threshold applies per piece, not per transaction. Coats, pants, underwear, socks, and hats all count. School uniforms may have access to at the same $75 limit.

School supplies must cost less than $20 per item. Notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, binders, calculators, scissors, glue, and backpacks all may have access to if they are under $20 each. A $19 backpack is tax-free; a $21 backpack is fully taxed. Supplies for college students count the same way — the tax break is not limited to K-12.

The $75 and $20 limits are per item, not per category. If you buy five $15 notebooks, each one is tax-free. If you buy one $100 notebook, the whole thing is taxed.

What does not may have access to, even for school

Footwear is never tax-free during the weekend, even shoes you buy specifically for school. Accessories — belts, scarves, ties, hair clips, jewelry — do not may have access to. Eyeglasses and sunglasses are taxed. Sports equipment, musical instruments, and art supplies for classes are taxed unless they fit the school supplies definition and stay under $20.

Electronics are taxed, including computers, tablets, calculators over $20, headphones, and chargers. Food and beverages are always taxed. Furniture, even a desk for a dorm room, is taxed. Lunch boxes and water bottles are taxed because they are not defined as school supplies.

How to use the tax-free weekend at checkout

You do not need a coupon, code, or special registration. At checkout, the cashier rings up your items normally. When they see that an item qualifies — a $50 pair of pants, a $15 notebook — the register automatically removes the sales tax. If you buy a $100 pair of shoes and a $40 shirt, the shoes are taxed but the shirt is not.

Online purchases during the tax-free weekend are taxed the same way as in-store purchases. If the retailer ships to Ohio and the item qualifies, tax should not be charged. Some online retailers may not have their systems set up to recognize the tax-free weekend, so check your receipt. If you were charged tax on a may have access to item, contact the retailer's customer service with your receipt and the item details.

The tax break applies only to purchases made during the seven-day window. Items bought on August 3 or August 11 are taxed normally, even if you return them during the tax-free weekend.

Planning your shopping to maximize the savings

The biggest savings come from buying clothing at the $74.99 price point — a full outfit of pants, shirt, and jacket can save you $15 to $25 depending on your local tax rate. School supplies under $20 add up quickly if you have multiple children or are stocking up for college.

Retailers often run their own sales during tax-free weekend on top of the tax savings. Check store websites and flyers in late July to see what discounts they are offering. Some stores advertise heavily during this week because they know shoppers are looking for deals.

If you are buying items that do not may have access to — shoes, electronics, food — there is no reason to wait for tax-free weekend. Buy those items whenever prices are lowest. Focus your weekend shopping on the clothing and supplies that actually save you money.

Tax-free weekend versus back-to-school sales

Tax-free weekend and back-to-school sales are separate events. A store's back-to-school sale might run for two weeks in July and August, while tax-free weekend is always the same seven days in early August. During the overlap, you get both the store discount and the tax savings — that is when prices are usually lowest.

Some retailers use tax-free weekend as their main promotional event and do not run separate sales. Others discount items heavily in the weeks before and after. Compare prices across stores in early August to find the best deals, because the tax savings alone do not may provide the lowest total price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return items bought during tax-free weekend after the weekend ends?

Yes. If you return a may have access to item after tax-free weekend, you get back the price you paid — which includes no tax if you bought it during the weekend. The return window depends on the store's policy, not on the tax-free weekend dates.

Do I have to be a student to buy tax-free items?

No. Anyone can buy clothing and school supplies during tax-free weekend and receive the tax break. You do not need to show a student ID or proof that you are buying for a student. The tax break applies to the item itself, not to who is buying it.

What if an item is on the border — like a $20 notebook or a $75 shirt?

Items priced at exactly $20 or exactly $75 are tax-free. The limit is "under $75" for clothing and "under $20" for supplies, which means $75 and $20 themselves may have access to. Once you go to $75.01 or $20.01, the item is taxed.

Does tax-free weekend explore to online orders shipped to Ohio?

Yes, if the retailer charges sales tax on Ohio orders. Some online retailers do not charge sales tax to any state, so you would not see a tax charge anyway. Others charge tax based on where they ship to. If you order during tax-free weekend and the retailer recognizes Ohio's tax-free weekend, may have access to items should not be taxed.

Can I buy items during tax-free weekend and pick them up later?

That depends on the store. If you purchase the item during tax-free weekend — meaning you pay for it during those seven days — the tax-free rate applies even if you pick it up after the weekend ends. If you order and pay after tax-free weekend, the item is taxed normally. Check with the store about their specific policy on orders placed before pickup.