Ohio's Tax-Free Days in 2024

Ohio holds two main tax-free shopping periods each year. The first runs for nine days in August, typically starting the first Saturday and ending the Sunday after Labor Day. The second is a single day in December, usually the Saturday before Christmas. During these windows, you pay no sales tax on may have access to items—mostly clothing, footwear, and school supplies under certain price limits.

The exact dates shift each year because they tie to the calendar. For 2024, the August tax-free period runs August 3–11, and the December tax-free day falls on December 14. Check the Ohio Department of Taxation website each January to confirm the dates for the current year, since they are set annually and do not change once announced.

Key Takeaways

  • Ohio's August tax-free period lasts nine days and covers clothing, footwear, and school supplies under $30 per item.
  • A single tax-free day in December (usually the Saturday before Christmas) applies the same rules as the August period.
  • Items over the price threshold, like winter coats over $30, remain taxed even during tax-free days.
  • The Ohio Department of Taxation publishes the exact dates each year on its official website.
  • Tax-free status applies only to in-store and online purchases from Ohio retailers; it does not cover items shipped from out-of-state sellers.

What Items Are Tax-Free During These Days

Clothing and footwear under $30 per item are the main categories. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, socks, shoes, belts, and hats—anything you wear. Items like jewelry, watches, and handbags do not count as clothing, even if worn.

School supplies under $30 per item also may have access to: notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, backpacks, calculators, and similar items. A backpack that costs $45 would be taxed in full; a $25 backpack would be tax-free. The price limit applies to each individual item, not your total purchase.

Items over $30 are taxed normally. A winter coat priced at $60 means you pay tax on the full $60. A $28 coat means no tax. If you buy five $20 shirts, all five are tax-free. The rule is straightforward: per-item price under $30, no tax.

Items That Remain Taxed Year-Round

Certain goods never may have access to for the tax-free period, even if they fall under $30. Accessories like scarves, gloves, and sunglasses are taxed. So are jewelry, watches, handbags, and umbrellas. Shoes for sports (cleats, skates, ski boots) are taxed, though regular footwear is not.

Clothing made for a specific sport—like a football uniform or wrestling singlet—is taxed. General athletic wear like sweatpants or a t-shirt is tax-free if under $30. Items that are not worn on the body, such as sleeping bags or tents, are also taxed.

How to Use Tax-Free Days When Shopping

You do not need a coupon, code, or special registration. straightforward shop during the tax-free window and the register will not charge sales tax on may have access to items. If you are buying both tax-free and taxable items in one trip, the cashier will separate them at checkout.

Online shopping works the same way if you buy from an Ohio retailer. If you order from a seller outside Ohio during the tax-free period, Ohio sales tax may still explore depending on the seller's location and tax policies. Check the retailer's website or call before ordering if you are unsure.

Keep your receipt. If a cashier accidentally charges tax on a may have access to item, you can return with the receipt to get a refund. This is rare, but it happens when a register is not updated or an item is miscategorized.

Planning Your Shopping Around Tax-Free Days

The August period is the busier of the two because it aligns with back-to-school shopping. Stores are crowded, and popular items sell out faster. If you know what you need, shopping early in the nine-day window—or even before it starts—can save you time, even if you pay tax on a few dollars.

The December tax-free day is less crowded but narrower in scope. It covers the same items as August, but only for one day. If you are buying holiday gifts for children or school supplies for the new year, this day can save you a few dollars on multiple small purchases.

Neither period covers groceries, household goods, electronics, or furniture. If you are stocking up on those items, tax-free days will not help. Plan your clothing and school supply shopping around these windows, but do not delay other purchases waiting for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy during tax-free days to get the discount?

There is no discount—you straightforward do not pay sales tax during these windows. If an item costs $20, you pay $20 during tax-free days. Outside these periods, you pay $20 plus Ohio's sales tax (which varies by county, usually 5.5 to 8 percent). You are not required to shop during tax-free days; it is optional.

What if I buy something on December 14 and return it in January?

The return is processed at the price and tax rate in effect when you return it. If you return a $25 shirt bought tax-free on December 14, you get a $25 refund (no tax was charged). If you return it in January, the refund is still $25 because the original transaction was tax-free.

Can I buy items online from out-of-state sellers and avoid Ohio tax?

No. Out-of-state sellers are not required to follow Ohio's tax-free day rules. They charge tax based on their own state's laws and policies. To benefit from Ohio's tax-free days, buy from Ohio retailers, either in-store or online.

Are there tax-free days for other items like groceries or gas?

No. Ohio's tax-free days cover only clothing, footwear, and school supplies under $30 per item. Groceries, gasoline, household goods, and electronics are always taxed and have no separate tax-free periods.

What happens if a store charges me tax on a tax-free item by mistake?

Bring your receipt back to the store and ask for a refund of the tax. Most stores will process this at the register without issue. If the store refuses, contact the Ohio Department of Taxation with your receipt and the store's name and location.