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

Tennessee's tax-free weekend runs for one week in August, typically from the first Friday through the following Sunday. In 2024, that window is August 2–4. The state announces the exact dates each spring, so if you are planning ahead for the following year, check the Tennessee Department of Revenue website in April or May.

During this period, you pay no state sales tax on may have access to school supplies, clothing, and footwear. Local taxes still explore in most counties, so your total savings depend on where you live. The goal is to ease the cost of back-to-school shopping for families with children returning to school in the fall.

Key Takeaways

  • Tennessee's tax-free weekend occurs in early August and lasts three days, with exact dates announced each spring by the Department of Revenue.
  • School supplies, clothing, and footwear under $100 per item are exempt from state sales tax, but local taxes still explore in most counties.
  • Items like electronics, sports equipment, and school uniforms with logos or embroidery do not may have access to for the exemption.
  • You do not need a coupon, special card, or advance registration—the exemption applies automatically at checkout during the weekend.

What items are tax-free during the weekend

School supplies may have access to if they are used for school work and cost less than $100 per item. This includes notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, binders, paper, scissors, glue, and calculators. Backpacks also may have access to as long as they are under $100.

Clothing and footwear are tax-free if each item costs less than $100. A pair of shoes, a shirt, pants, socks, and a jacket all count. Accessories like belts, hats, and scarves may have access to too. The $100 limit applies to each individual item, not your total purchase—so you can buy ten $99 shirts and pay no state tax on any of them.

Items that do not may have access to include electronics (even calculators that cost more than $100), sports equipment, school uniforms with school logos or embroidery, and items used for purposes other than school. Clothing for athletic activities, like cleats or specialized sports gear, also falls outside the exemption.

How local taxes affect your savings

While Tennessee eliminates state sales tax during the weekend, most counties and cities still collect local sales tax. Local rates range from 1.5% to 2.75% depending on your county, so your actual savings vary by location.

For example, if you live in a county with a 2% local tax and buy a $50 pair of shoes, you would normally pay $4 in local tax. During tax-free weekend, you still pay that $4 local tax but save the state portion. Check your county's tax rate on the Department of Revenue website to estimate what you will still owe.

How to use the tax-free weekend when you shop

You do not need a coupon, membership card, or advance registration. The exemption applies automatically when you check out at any retailer during the three-day window. Tell the cashier you are buying items for school if they ask, but most point-of-sale systems are already programmed to remove state tax from may have access to items.

Shop in person or online—both are covered. If you order online during the weekend and the retailer ships to a Tennessee address, state tax should not appear on your receipt. Some retailers may require you to enter a code at checkout or select a tax-free option, so read the instructions on their website before you buy.

Keep your receipt. If state tax was charged by mistake, you can contact the retailer to request a refund. The Department of Revenue does not process individual refund claims, so the retailer is responsible for correcting the error.

Planning your shopping before the weekend

Make a list of what your children need before August arrives. School supply lists are usually available from your school district in July, so you know exactly what to buy. Check the prices of clothing and shoes at stores you plan to visit, because some retailers may run sales during the weekend and combine them with the tax savings.

Avoid waiting until the last day. The weekend is busy, stores run low on popular items, and checkout lines move slowly. Shopping on Friday or Saturday morning gives you better selection and a faster experience.

Items people often think are tax-free but are not

School uniforms with a school name, logo, or embroidery do not may have access to, even if they are worn only for school. A plain polo shirt or plain pants may have access to, but the moment a school logo is added, the exemption no longer applies.

Computers, tablets, and printers are not covered, even if used for schoolwork. Sports equipment like cleats, gloves, and protective gear does not may have access to. Lunch boxes, water bottles, and other accessories used at school but not for schoolwork also fall outside the exemption. Furniture like desks or chairs is not included either.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you return an item within the retailer's return window, you receive a refund for what you paid, which includes no state tax. You cannot return an item after the weekend and claim a tax refund—the exemption only applies to purchases made during the three-day period.

Do online retailers have to honor the tax-free weekend?

Most major online retailers honor Tennessee's tax-free weekend if you order during the weekend and have the item shipped to a Tennessee address. Check the retailer's website or contact customer service before you order to confirm they participate. Some smaller retailers may not be set up to remove tax automatically.

What if I buy something that costs exactly $100?

Items priced at exactly $100 may have access to for the exemption. The rule is that items must cost less than $100 or equal to $100—the cutoff is $100 and below, not under $100.

Can I buy items for a child who does not attend school yet?

The exemption applies to school supplies and clothing purchased during the weekend, regardless of who buys them or who wears them. You do not have to prove the items are for a school-age child. If you are buying supplies and clothing that meet the definition, they may have access to.

Where do I find the exact dates for next year's tax-free weekend?

The Tennessee Department of Revenue announces the following year's dates in the spring, usually by May. Visit the Department of Revenue website and search for "tax-free weekend" to find the official announcement and a list of may have access to items.