At least 17 states are offering consumers a sales tax holiday this year. Retailers may not charge tax during the sales tax holiday for items that are legally tax-exempt. This exemption is valid both in store and online. While the purchase categories are limited, they encompass some of the most popular items for this time of year.
According to the National Retail Federation, the average family with school-aged children will pay roughly $630 for clothes, school supplies and electronics this year. A state with a 7 percent tax rate would save the family about $44 in sales tax, if they shopped during the tax-free period.
August 7 To August 8
Iowa – Clothing items up to $100 are sales tax free.
Louisiana – Shoppers may purchase up to $2,500 worth of personal property for nonbusiness use without paying the sales tax.
August 7 To August 9
Alabama – Clothing up to $100, school supplies up to $50, and books up to $30 will not have sales taxes assessed. Shoppers can also purchase computers priced up to $750 without paying the sales tax.
Missouri – Clothing priced up to $100 and school supplies priced up to $50 are sales tax free. Computers up to $3,500 are also exempt during the period.
New Mexico – Clothing costing $100 or less and school supplies costing $30 or less are exempt. The sales tax holiday also covers computers up to $1,000 and computer equipment up to $500
Ohio – Shoppers can purchase clothing up to $75, school supplies up to $20 and instructional material up to $20 without sales tax being added.
Oklahoma – This sales tax holiday is limited to clothing up to $100.
S. Carolina – Shoppers can take advantage of the sales tax holiday by purchasing clothing, school supplies, computers, and various other products.
Tennessee – This sales tax holiday covers clothing up to $100, school supplies up to $100, and computers up to $1,500.
Texas – Shoppers can buy clothing, backpacks and school supplies priced $100 or less without paying sales tax.
Virginia – The sales tax holiday covers clothing up to $100 and school supplies up to $20.
August 7-16
Florida – Shoppers can purchase school supplies and clothing priced up to $100 as well as computers priced $750 or less.
August 9-15
Maryland – The sales tax holiday covers clothing and footwear up to $100.
August 16-22
Connecticut – Shoppers can save on clothing and footwear with prices up to $100.
The following states have elected to not participate in sales tax holidays this year.
Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.