Millions of families shopping for back-to-school essentials could save through state sales tax holidays, which temporarily waive taxes on items like clothing and school supplies.Many states are still offering at least one tax-free shopping period this year, with some running into early-to-mid August. Several states already held their 2026 tax-free shopping holidays, including Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and New Mexico, with events taking place in July and early August.Florida’s holiday runs the longest, from July 20 through August 20, while states including Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Virginia are holding three-day events from August 7 to 9. Maryland, Connecticut and Massachusetts have later August dates.Most states cover clothing, shoes, school supplies and backpacks, while some also include computers, tablets, software and other learning tools. Florida and South Carolina offer broader exemptions, including items like computers, printers and educational supplies.However, not all tax holidays focus on back-to-school shopping. Some states offer separate tax breaks for items like hunting, fishing and camping gear, while Massachusetts allows shoppers to avoid sales tax on most purchases up to $2,500 during its August holiday.Several states still have tax-free shopping holidays ahead this year, with many giving back-to-school shoppers a chance to cut costs (Getty)Here are the states with tax-free holidays:ConnecticutDates: August 16–22 Tax-free items: Clothing, footwear, backpacks and non-electronic school supplies up to $300Florida (Back-to-School)Dates: July 20–August 20 Tax-free items: School supplies up to $50, clothing, footwear, and accessories up to $100 and computers up to $1,500Florida (Outdoor/Hunting)Dates: September 1–December 31 Tax-free items: Hunting, fishing and camping suppliesIllinoisDates: August 7–16Tax-free items: School supplies, clothing and footwear up to $125IowaDates: August 7–8 Tax-free items: Clothing and footwear up to $100LouisianaDates: September 4–6 Tax-free items: Hunting supplies and safety equipmentMarylandDates: August 9–15 Tax-free items: Clothing and footwear up to $100MassachusettsDates: August 8–9 Tax-free items: Tangible personal property priced at $2,500 or lessMississippiDates: August 28–30 Tax-free items: Hunting suppliesMissouriDates: August 7–9 Tax-free items: School supplies up to $50, clothing up to $100 and computers up to $1,500OhioDates: August 7–9 Tax-free items: All tangible personal property, with some exceptions, up to $500OklahomaDates: August 7–9 Tax-free items: Clothing and footwear up to $100South CarolinaDates: August 7–9 Tax-free items: Clothing, accessories, footwear, school supplies, computers, printers, printer supplies, and computer software and dataTexasDates: August 7–9 Tax-free items: School supplies, clothing, shoes, and backpacks up to $100VirginiaDates: August 7–9 Tax-free items: School supplies up to $20, clothing and footwear up to $100, hurricane and emergency preparedness items (various limits), and certain energy- and water-saving products up to $2,500
States with tax-free shopping days — see if yours is included
Not every tax holiday is tied to back-to-school shopping, with some states offering separate breaks for other categories














