Shopping tax exemptions during back-to-school season could result in savings on educational supplies, apparel, or personal electronics purchases.
In 2025, 17 U.S. states are participating in sales tax holidays, primarily focused on back-to-school shopping. These events vary by state in terms of dates, eligible items, and price limits. Here's a breakdown of the key details:
| State | Dates | Eligible Items | Price Limits | Notes | |---------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Alabama | July 18-20 | Clothing, school supplies | Varies (e.g., clothing $100 or less) | 4% state sales tax | | Arkansas | August 2-3 | Clothing, footwear | $100 or less for clothing | 6.5% state sales tax | | Connecticut | August 17 | Clothing and footwear | $100 or less | 6.35% sales tax | | Florida | August 1-31 | Clothing, accessories | $100 or less for clothing | 6% sales tax | | Iowa | August 1-2 | Clothing, footwear, school supplies | Clothing/footwear under $100 | 6% sales tax, defined list of exempt items| | Maryland | August 9-15 | Clothing and footwear | $100 or less | 6% sales tax | | Massachusetts | August 9-10 | Almost every personal item | Varies | 6.25% sales tax | | Mississippi | July 11-13 | Clothing, footwear | $100 or less | 7% tax | | Missouri | August 1-3 | Clothing, footwear | $100 or less | 4.23% sales tax | | New Mexico | July 25-27 | Clothing | Not specified | 5.13% sales tax | | Ohio | August 1-14 | Most tangible personal property | $500 or less for most items | Includes clothes, electronics, school supplies | | Oklahoma | August 1-3 | Clothing, footwear | $100 or less | 4.5% sales tax | | South Carolina| August 1-3 | Clothing, footwear, computers, school supplies, bed/bath items| No purchase price limit | 6% sales tax, mandatory participation | | Tennessee | July 25-27 | Apparel, computers, school supplies | Apparel $100 or less, computers/tablets $1,500 or less | 7% sales tax | | Texas | August 8-10 | Clothing, footwear, backpacks | $100 or less for clothing/footwear | 6.25% sales tax | | Virginia | August 1-3 | Clothing, footwear | $100 or less | 4% sales tax | | West Virginia | August 1-4 | Clothing, footwear | $100 or less | 6% sales tax |
### Common eligible items across states: - **Clothing and footwear** (usually under $100–$125) - **School supplies** (price limits often around $50) - **Computers, laptops, tablets** (some states, e.g., Tennessee, have limits up to $1,500) - **Sports equipment** (some states specify limits, e.g., $150) - Additional items in some states include select bed and bath goods, printer supplies, and backpacks.
### Example detailed states: - **South Carolina**: Tax-free on clothing, footwear, computers/printers/software (excludes phones), school supplies, with *no purchase price limit*. Runs August 1-3, 2025[1][2][3]. - **Tennessee**: Tax-free July 25-27 on apparel ($100 or less), computers/tablets ($1,500 or less), school supplies/art supplies ($100 or less)[1][3]. - **Ohio**: Broad exemption on most tangible personal property costing $500 or less, including electronics, clothes, school supplies, sports equipment, luggage, and musical instruments[2].
These holidays apply only to sales tax (state and sometimes local), exclude items bought for business use or under layaway plans, and vary in exact scope by state[3][4].
Shoppers should note that online purchases are often included in sales-tax holidays. For complete, state-specific details, checking each state's official tax authority is recommended.
During the sales tax holidays in 2025, individuals can take advantage of tax exemptions on eligible items such as clothing, footwear, and school supplies. This opportunity, however, is also extended to specific personal-finance decisions like buying computers, laptops, and tablets, with selected states offering exemptions up to $1,500 for computers. Moreover, many states encourage shopping by offering tax-free purchases on selected items like sports equipment, bed and bath goods, printer supplies, and backpacks.
