States Where You Can Shop Tax-Free for Back-To-School in 2018

We found 16 states that have confirmed their back-to-school tax holidays for 2018. 

Most tax holiday states are in the south, though there are a couple oddballs in the Midwest. Louisiana has dropped their sales tax holiday, and Wisconsin is holding one for the first time. You'll find all the details below.

Tax-free weekends everywhere tend to have a few interesting common features. Most will let you put items on layaway tax-free. Or if you make a final payment on a layaway item during the tax holiday, you'll get out of state sales tax that way, too. And online purchases are subject to the exemption, too, if you live in a tax holiday state.

Most states will enforce a dollar limit on purchases in certain categories. 

For example, a common limit we see is for clothing up to $100. What that actually means can vary from one state to the next, however, and sometimes even from one product category to another. For a dress that costs $110, one state may exempt the sales tax on the first $100 of the sale, meaning you'd only pay taxes on the $10 left over. Another state may simply exclude that same dress from being eligible for the exemption since it's priced over the $100 threshold.

Another difference lies in whether "priced under $100" includes or excludes a price tag of exactly $100. Speaking literally, "under $100" would mean that $99.99 is eligible, but $100.00 is not. Remember that sales tax holidays are written and voted upon by state governments, and the law can be very literal.

Finally, remember that it's only state sales tax that is on holiday. If you pay city, county or other local taxes, you'll still see those on your receipt.

Always read the fine print so you aren't surprised at the cash register.  Check out back to school supply list. 

Sorry, if your state doesn't participate yet.... they may in the future.  

State Sales Tax Holidays
[see 2017 programs]
[see 2016 programs]

State	Days	Items Included	Maximum Cost	1stYear	2018 Dates	Information Links *
Alabama	3	hurricane preparedness generators - $1,000 supplies - $60		2012	February 23-25	http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/
Alabama	3	clothing - $100 computers - $750  school supplies - $50  books - $30		2006	July 20-22	http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/
Arkansas	2	clothing - $100 school supplies		2011	August 4-5	http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/
Connecticut	7	clothing and footwear - $100		2001	August 19-25	http://www.ct.gov/drs/
Florida	7	disaster preparedness generators - $750 other supplies - $50		2017	June 1-7	http://floridarevenue.com/
Florida	3	clothing - $60 school supplies - $15		2007+	August 3-5	http://floridarevenue.com/
Iowa	2	clothing - $100		2000	August 3-4	https://tax.iowa.gov/
Louisiana	2	hurricane preparedness supplies - first $1,500 (2% rate reduction)		2008	May 26-27	http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/
Maryland	3	energy star products		2011	February 17-18	http://www.comp.state.md.us/
Maryland	7	clothing & footwear-$100		2010	August 12-18	http://www.marylandtaxes.com/
Mississippi	2	clothing & footwear - $100		2009	July 27-28	http://www.dor.ms.gov/
Mississippi	3	firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies		2014	Aug. 31-Sept. 2	http://www.dor.ms.gov/
Missouri	7	energy star products - $1,500		2009	April 19-25	http://dor.mo.gov/
Missouri	3	clothing - $100 computers - $1,500 school supplies - $50		2004	August 3-5	http://dor.mo.gov/
New Mexico	3	clothing - $100 computers - $1,000 computer equip. - $500 school supplies - $30		2005	August 3-5	http://www.tax.newmexico.gov
Ohio	3	clothing - $75 school supplies - $20		2015	August 3-5	https://www.tax.ohio.gov/
Oklahoma	3	clothing - $100		2007	August 3-5	http://www.tax.ok.gov/
South Carolina	3	clothing school supplies computers other		2000	August 3-5	http://www.sctax.org/
Tennessee	3	clothing - $100  school supplies - $100 computers - $1,500		2006	July 27-29	http://tn.gov/revenue/
Texas	3	generators - $3,000 storm devices - $300 preparedness items - $75		2016	April 28-30	http://comptroller.texas.gov
Texas	3	energy star products  air conditioners - $6,000; other - $2,000		2008	May 26-28	http://comptroller.texas.gov/
Texas	3	clothing, backpacks and school supplies- $100		1999	August 10-12	http://comptroller.texas.gov/
Virginia	3	clothing - $100 school supplies - $20 energy star products - $2,500 hurricane preparedness items - $60 generators - $1,000		2006	August 3-5	http://www.tax.virginia.gov/
Wisconsin	5	clothing, supplies - $75 computer supplies - $250 computers - $750		2018	August 1-5	https://www.revenue.wi.gov/

(updated July 13, 2018)

+ Florida first held a sales tax holiday for school supplies in 2007. This was not re-enacted in 2008-09.
* Details for some state programs are not available yet, website points to 2017 program.
Note, if your state is not listed, legislation has not been approved authorizing a sales tax holiday. Contact your state legislator for more information.
If you have any corrections, please direct your inquiry to Ronald Alt.

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