As summer winds down, parents nationwide are gearing up for the annual back-to-school shopping frenzy. In an effort to ease the financial strain on families and support education, several states are offering relief from sales taxes on essential back-to-school needs. From backpacks and laptops to clothing and school supplies, these tax-free holidays help you grab the gear your students need without breaking the bank. This article will give you a detailed overview of each state’s tax-free policy.
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Alabama
Several Counties in Alabama are participating in the States Tax Holiday which begins at 12:01 a.m. on the third Friday in July and ends at midnight on the following Sunday.
Eligible Items
- Certain items of clothing – $100 or less per item
- Computers, computer software, and school computer supplies – $750 or less
- School supplies, school art supplies, and school instructional material – $50 or less per item
- Books – $30 or less, per book
The full list of eligible items for 2023 can be found here
Arkansas
The State of Arkansas hosts its Sales Tax Holiday From Saturday, August 8, 2023 to Sunday, August 6, 2023. All retailers are required to participate and may not charge tax on items that are legally tax-exempt during the Sales Tax Holiday.
Eligible Items
- Certain items of clothing – $100 or less per item
- Clothing Accessories or Equipment – Less Than $50 per Item
- Electronic Devices such as Computers, Laptops, Calculators, and more.
- School supplies, school art supplies, and school instructional material
- Books – $30 or less, per book
The full list of eligible items for 2023 can be found here
Florida
Florida offers two Back to School Tax Holidays. One in July/August and the other in January. In 2023, the Tax Holiday takes place from July 24 – August 6th. In 2024, the Back to School Tax Holiday takes place from January 1-14.
Eligible Items
- Certain items of clothing – $100 or less per item
- Learning aids nd jigsaw puzzles – $30 or less per item.
- Computers and related accessories – $1,500 or less (must be non-commercial use)
- Most school supplies – $50 or less per item.
The full list of eligible items for 2023 can be found here
The sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.
Iowa
Iowa’s annual sales tax holiday is held on the first Friday and Saturday of August. All open businesses are required to participate. This States Tax Holiday appears basic on the surface, but an examination of eligible items reveals an array of eligible items, including Adult Diapers and Lingerie. Oddly, the State of Iowa lists Lingerie as an exempt item but excludes backpacks. Interesting indeed. The full list of eligible items for 2023 can be found here.
Mississippi
The Mississippi State Code provides a sales tax holiday that takes place between Friday, July 28, 2023, and Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Eligible Items
- Certain items of clothing and footwear- $100 or less per item
- School supplies – $100 or less per item
The full list of eligible items for 2023 can be found here
Missouri
Missouri state law provides a sales tax tax holiday that begins on the first Friday in August and continues through the following Sunday. The 2023 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins on Friday, August 4, and runs through Sunday, August 6.
Eligible Items
- Certain items of clothing – $100 or less per item
- School Supplies – $50 or less per item.
- Computer software- $350 or less
- Personal computers – not to exceed $1,500
- Computer peripheral devices – not to exceed $1,500
- Graphing calculators – not to exceed $150
Details on eligible items for 2023 can be found here
New Mexico
The New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax Holiday beings on Friday, August 4, 2023 and concludes on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at midnight.
Eligible Items
- Certain items of clothing, footwear, and accessories – $100 or less per item
- Computers – up to $1,000
- Computer – Related Items – up to $500
- School Supplies and books- under $30
- Calculators – under $200
- Backpacks (school) – under $100
- Maps and Globes – under $100
The full list of eligible items for 2023 can be found here
Ohio
Ohio provides a permanent sales tax holiday on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of August of each year. In 2023, the Tax Holiday runs from Friday, August 4, 2023 to Sunday, August 6, 2023.
Eligible Items
- Certain items of clothing – $75 or less per item
- School Supplies and Instructional Materials – $20 or less
The full list of eligible items can be found here
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s tax holiday runs from the first Friday through Sunday of August. In 2023, the Tax Holiday runs from Friday, August 4, 2023 to Sunday, August 6, 2023.
Eligible Items
- Certain items of clothing – $100 or less per item
- School Supplies and Instructional Materials – $20 or less
Oklahoma’s tax holiday includes online sales. Details can be found here
South Carolina
South Carolina’s Tax Free Weekend has been ongoing since 2000. In 2023, the Tax Holiday runs from Friday, August 4, 2023 to Sunday, August 6, 2023.
South Carolina is one of the few states that doesn’t have a dollar amount limit for eligible items.
Eligible Items
- Art supplies for school
- Athletic uniforms
- Backpacks
- Bedding and Towels
- Clothing, including coats and jackets
- Computers and printers
- Diapers
- Earbuds and headphones
- Musical instruments for school
South Carolina’s tax holiday includes online sales. Details on other eligible items can be found here
Tennesse
Tennesse’s sales tax holiday begins Friday, July 28, 2023 and ends on Sunday, July 30, 2023.
South Carolina is one of the few states that doesn’t have a dollar amount limit for eligible items.
Eligible Items
- General apparel – $100 or less
- School and art supplies – $100 or less per item
- Computers and Laptops for personal use – $1,500 or less
Details on other eligible items can be found here
Texas
They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and I guess that also applies to sales tax holidays. The state of Texas offers four tax holidays throughout the year. The state’s back-to-school tax holiday takes place from August 11 – 13, 2023.
Eligible Items
- Clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks – $100 or less
Details on other eligible items can be found here
West Virginia
The West Virginia state Sales Tax Holiday begins each year on the Friday before the first Sunday in August and ends the following Monday. For 2023, the Tax Holiday runs from August 4, 2023 to August 7, 2023.
Eligible Items
- Clothing – $125 or less
- Certain laptop and tablet computers – $500 or less
- Certain school instructional material – $20 or less
- Certain school supplies (including backpacks) – $50 or less
- Certain sports equipment – $150 or less
Details on other eligible items can be found here
