Everything You Need to Know About Tax Free Weekends

The new school year is swiftly approaching and many parents are preparing to buy their children’s school supplies. To offer an opportunity for parents to save money, many states hold a tax-free weekend in late July, early August. The weekend offers a pass on sales tax on certain items including school supplies, books, clothing, electronics, and other items.

About Tax-Free Weekends

Select states participate in a tax-free weekend. Generally, it is timed to occur around the time school starts in the area. As mentioned above, a number of items are eligible for the tax break. To view specific items that will be tax-free, you’ll want to check your state government’s website. There may be certain categories, such as electronics, that have a price cap for the tax holiday. Local sales tax may also still apply in some cases.

Which States Have A Tax-Free Weekend?

Not all states participate in a tax-free holiday. However, folks living in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin can all take advantage of their state’s tax-free weekend. Generally, they fall between August 1 and August 25.

It is also worth noting that Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not have sales tax throughout the year. Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia do not tax non-prescription drugs. These states also have lower taxes on food and clothing.

Clothing is completely tax-free in Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island all year round.

Can I Shop Online During My States Tax-Free Weekend?

Yes, you can.

Qualifying purchases made online during your state’s tax-free weekend are eligible for the discount. Certain retailers will remove the sales tax from eligible purchases in your shopping cart. Some may require you to submit your receipt for reimbursement.

When is My State’s Tax-Free Weekend?

Unfortunately, if you live in Alabama, Tennessee, or Mississippi, you’ve already missed your state’s tax-free weekend. These states participated in the tax-free holiday in late July. You’ll still be able to take advantage of the great tax-free deals happening in the states below.

Arkansas

Arkansas’ tax-free holiday will be August 4 and August 5. You can get clothing and footwear items under $100 and $50 accessories tax-free. All school supplies will be tax-free in Arkansas (no limit).

Connecticut

You’ll be able to get a tax break on clothing and footwear under $100 August 19-25 in Connecticut.

Florida

Tax-free weekend is August 3-5 in Florida. Get a tax break on school supplies (up to $15 per item). Clothing items $60 and under will also be tax-free.

Iowa

Clothing and footwear will be tax-free in Iowa August 3-4.

Maryland

Maryland’s tax-free weekend is August 12-18. You will be able to get clothing and footwear items under $100 and $40 of your backpack purchase tax-free.

Missouri

August 3-5 is when Missouri is holding its tax-free holiday. Clothing under $100, school supplies ($50 per purchase), software ($350), computers ($1,500), and graphing calculators ($150).

New Mexico

New Mexico’s tax-free weekend is August 3-5. Get clothing and footwear items under $100, computers under $1,000, computer accessories under $500, and school supplies under $30 tax-free.

Ohio

August 3-5 is when Ohio has its tax-free weekend. Clothing items up to $75 each, school supplies up to $20 per item, and instructional materials ($20 per item) will all be included.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s tax-free holiday will be held August 3-5. Clothing and footwear items under $100 will be tax-free.

South Carolina

August 3-5 are the dates for South Carolina’s tax-free weekend. There is no limit to the items included. You will be able to get all accessories, bed and bath linens, clothing, computers, footwear, school supplies, and software tax-free.

Texas

Texas is holding its tax-free weekend August 10-12 this year. Get clothing and footwear items ($100 each), backpacks ($100), and school supplies ($100) tax-free during this period of time.

Virginia

Virginia will offer a tax break on school supplies ($20 per item) as well as clothing and footwear ($100 per item) August 3 through August 5.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is holding its tax-free holiday August 1-5. Items included are clothing ($75 per item), Computers ($750) and computer supplies ($250 per item), and school supplies ($75 per item).

Getting The Most Out of A Tax-Free Weekend

If you’re looking to get the best deals available this tax-free weekend, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before heading out.

1. Be sure what you are buying is included in the tax-free holiday. As you may have noted above, certain items are excluded and there are caps on certain categories.
2. Write a list. Writing a list can help you refrain from buying items you don’t need. If you’re headed out for school supplies, stick to that list. Don’t be tempted by other tax-free deals.
3. Go out early. Many people will be crowding the stores over the tax-free weekend. Be sure to get out as early as possible to avoid the crowds. You’ll also want to hit the clothing section before others. This way, you’ll get in line for the dressing rooms first.
4. Keep your receipts. This is a good rule of thumb for any purchase you may be able to deduct from your taxes later on. Some states or online stores, as mentioned above, will require you to submit your receipts for reimbursements.

Readers, are you planning to shop during your state’s tax-free weekend? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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