Every State's Back-to-School Tax Holiday in 2026

BY: Christopher Mahar |Mar 4, 2026

If you're gearing up for back-to-school season, there's a smart way to save: shop during your state's sales tax holiday. About 16 states give families a break by waiving sales tax on clothing, school supplies, and sometimes even computers. Time it right, and you can stack these tax-free days with retailer sales for double savings. Here's when your state's holiday happens — and what qualifies.

💡 Pro Tip: Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon often run back-to-school sales during tax holidays. Plan big purchases (like laptops or winter coats) for these weekends to maximize your savings.

Alabama (July 17–19)

Best for: Books & computers

Clothing (less than $100 per item)
Computers, computer software, and school computer supplies (less than $750 per item)
Books (less than $30 per item)
Select school supplies (less than $50 per item)

Arkansas (Aug. 1–2)

Best for: School supplies with no price cap

Clothing (less than $100 per item)
Clothing accessories and equipment (less than $50 per item)
School instructional materials (no price restriction)
Select school and art supplies (no price restriction)

Connecticut (Aug. 16–22)

Best for: Full week of savings

Clothing and footwear (less than $100 per item)

Florida (Aug. 1–31)

Best for: Computers & longest shopping window

Clothing, footwear, and select accessories (less than $100 per item)
Select school supplies (less than $50)
Computers and select accessories (first $1,500 per item)
Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles (less than $30 per item)

Iowa (Aug. 2–3)

Clothing and footwear (less than $100 per item)

Maryland (Aug. 9–15)

Best for: Backpacks

Clothing and footwear (less than $100 per item)
No taxes on the first $40 of a backpack

Mississippi (July 10–12)

Clothing and footwear (less than $100 per item)
School supplies (less than $100 per item)

Missouri (Aug. 7–9)

Best for: Tech & software

Clothing (less than $100 per item)
Computers (less than $1,500)
Computer software (less than $150)
School supplies (less than $50 per item)

New Mexico (July 31–Aug. 2)

Best for: Computer accessories

Clothing and shoes (less than $100 per item)
Computers and accessories (less than $1,000 for computers and $500 for accessories)
Backpacks, bookbags, maps, and globes (less than $100 per item)
School supplies (less than $30 per item)

Oklahoma (Aug. 7–9)

Clothing and shoes (less than $100 per item)

Puerto Rico (July TBC)

Clothing and shoes (less than $100 per item)

South Carolina (Aug. 7–9)

Best for: Dorm shopping

Clothing and accessories
Shoes
Select school supplies, including backpacks
Computers, software, and printers
Select dorm room items, including select bed and bath items

Tennessee (July 24–26)

Best for: Art supplies

Clothing (less than $100 per item)
School and art supplies (less than $100 per item)
Computers (less than $1,500 per item)

Texas (Aug. 7–9)

Clothing and footwear (less than $100 per item)
School supplies and backpacks (less than $100 per item)

Virginia (Aug. 7–9)

Clothing (less than $100 per item)
School supplies ($20 or less per item)

West Virginia (July 31–Aug. 3)

Best for: Sports equipment & highest clothing cap

Clothing (less than $125 per item)
School supplies ($50 or less per item)
School instruction materials ($20 or less per item)
Laptops and tablets ($500 or less)
Sports equipment ($150 or less per item)

State-specific guidelines and exclusions apply. Check your state's website for full details.

Didn't See Your State?

No tax holiday doesn't mean no savings. Check out our roundup of the best back-to-school deals to find discounts that work no matter where you live — because saving money shouldn't depend on your ZIP code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a coupon or code to get the tax break?

Nope! The discount happens automatically at checkout during the tax-free period. Just shop and save.

Can I shop online during the tax holiday?

Yep — most states include online purchases as long as you buy during the holiday window. Just double-check your state's rules to be safe.

What if I return something I bought tax-free?

You'll get a refund for what you paid — which means no tax refund, since you didn't pay tax in the first place.

Do all stores participate?

Most major retailers do, but smaller shops might not. When in doubt, ask before you check out.

Can I use coupons or sales on top of the tax holiday?

Absolutely! Stack those savings — use promo codes, store sales, and cashback offers for maximum impact.

What counts as "clothing" or "school supplies"?

It varies by state, but generally: everyday clothing and shoes qualify, while accessories like jewelry or watches might not. School supplies usually include basics like notebooks, pens, and backpacks. Check your state's specific list for details — some get super specific about what's in and what's out.