Many states suspend the collection of state, county or local sales tax for a few days each summer during back to school tax free weekends. This can help families keep a bit more money in their own pockets when getting the items your child needs for school.
If you do plan on shopping on any of these dates, keep in mind that the stores will be very, very busy. It can be a scene similar to Black Friday when it comes to the number of people who shop. You have to decide if you want to deal with it or not by determining the savings.
For example, if sales tax is 10% where you live and you spend $600, you can save a total of $60. For some, it is not worth the chaos of shopping with that number of people. For others, it is well worth it. Only you can decide what works for you.
Below, you will find a sales tax map. To find out if your state participates, simply place your mouse on it. If the pointer shape changes then you are in luck! Your state participates and you can click to go directly to that states’ details including included and excluded items as well as the dates when the sales tax holiday will be offered.
Disclaimer; I believe in transparency and want to disclose this page has links to products that I may earn an affiliate commission for purchases you make. The reader pays nothing.
Back-to-school tax-free shopping states + dates for 2019:
Alabama:
- Dates: July 19th-21st
- Save on: Clothing (up to $100), Computers (up to $750), School supplies (up to $50), Books (up to $30)
- State Website
Arkansas:
- Dates: August 3rd-4th
- Save on: Clothing (up to $100), School supplies
- State Website
Connecticut:
- Dates: August 18th-24th
- Save on: Clothing and footwear (up to $100)
- State Website
Relevant Articles:
11 of The Best Side Hustle Ideas for 2019
9 Best Ways to Save $7K This Year
Florida:
- Dates: August 2nd-6th
- Save on: Clothing (up to $60), School supplies (up to $15), Computers (up to $1,000)
- State Website
Iowa:
- Dates: August 2nd-3rd
- Save on: Clothing (up to $100)
- State Website
Maryland:
- Dates: August 11th-17th
- Save on: Clothing & footwear (up to $100)
- State Website
Massachusetts:
- Dates: August 10th-11th
- Save on: All tangible personal property (up to $2,500)
- State Website
Mississippi:
- Dates: July 26th-27th
- Save on: Clothing & footwear (up to $100)
- State Website
Missouri:
- Dates: August 2nd-4th
- Save on: Clothing (up to $100), Computers (up to $1,500), School supplies (up to $50)
- State Website
New Mexico:
- Dates: August 2nd-4th
- Save on: Clothing (up to $100), Computers (up to $1,000), Computer equipment (up to $500), School supplies (up to $30)
- State Website
Ohio:
- Dates: August 2nd-4th
- Save on: Clothing (up to $75), School supplies (up to $20)
- State Website
Oklahoma:
- Dates: August 2nd-4th
- Save on: Clothing (up to $100)
- State Website
South Carolina:
- Dates: August 2nd-4th
- Save on: Clothing, School supplies, Computers, & other
- State Website
Tennessee:
- Dates: July 26th-28th
- Save on: Clothing (up to $100), School supplies (up to $100), Computers (up to $1,500)
- State Website
Texas:
- Dates: August 9th-11th
- Save on: Clothing, backpacks, and school supplies (up to $100)
- State Website
Virginia:
- Dates: August 2nd-4th
- Save on: Clothing (up to $100), School supplies (up to $20), Energy Star products (up to $2,500), Hurricane preparedness items (up to $60), Generators (up to $1,000)
- State Website
WHAT IS BACK TO SCHOOL TAX-FREE WEEKEND?
This is the one period of time where states sales tax is suspended on the purchase of select items.
These often include:
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Select Electronics (computers, tablets)
- School Supplies
- Backpacks
- and more!
Relevant Articles:
11 of The Best Side Hustle Ideas for 2019
9 Best Ways to Save $7K This Year
ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS?
There are often purchase limits placed on items. For example, sales tax suspension may apply only to the first $100 on shoes you buy. That means, if they cost $120, you will pay regular sales tax on $20 of your purchase.
DOES THIS MEAN ABSOLUTELY NO SALES TAX?
No. It does not. Cities and counties may still collect sales tax on your purchases. The tax-free weekend only applies to state taxes. You will need to check with your local jurisdiction to find out more.