Sales tax holidays begin as families face higher school costs
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Nine states are kicking off tax-free holidays this weekend —as back-to-school inflation hits hard and families rush to lock in savings.
Why it matters: It's a rare tax break for families preparing for a new school year and dealing with higher prices because of President Trump's tariffs.
- Four states — Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico and Tennessee — held tax holidays in July, and four more tax-free breaks are held later in August.
The big picture: Retailers like Walmart and Target are freezing or lowering prices on select items to court budget-conscious shoppers.
- Looming tariffs on Chinese imports — including tech and school supplies — are expected to drive prices up 12%–15% this season, according to retail analysts.
What they're saying: "With uncertainty around costs this fall, both shoppers and retailers are trying to lock in value now while they can," Stephanie Carls, RetailMeNot retail insights expert, told Axios.
- Mary Hines Droesch, head of consumer and wealth management products at Bank of America, tells Axios that spreading out purchases can help consumers avoid impulse buys and let families catch late-season deals.
Sales tax holidays 2025 include online orders
Sales tax is waived for in-store purchases and online shopping during the holidays, but exclusions apply.
Arkansas tax-free weekend 2025
Arkansas holds its annual sales tax holiday on the first weekend of August each year for two days — Saturday and Sunday.
Tax-free items:
- Clothing and shoes: Less than $100 per item.
- Clothing accessories or equipment: Less than $50 per item.
- School supplies and electronic devices used by students for study are also included, the state said.
Florida sales tax holiday 2025
The Sunshine State's annual sales tax holiday is now a monthlong tax break every August.
Tax-free items:
- Clothing, footwear and accessories: $100 or less.
- Most school supplies: $50 or less.
- Computers and accessories for personal use: $1,500 or less.
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles: $30 or less.
Iowa sales tax holiday weekend 2025
The Hawkeye State's tax holiday is held annually on the first weekend in August and lasts two days, Friday and Saturday.
- No state or local option sales tax will be collected on clothing or footwear less than $100, according to the state.
Missouri tax-free weekend 2025
Missouri's annual three-day tax holiday runs Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3, per the state.
Tax-free items:
- Clothing: $100 or less.
- Personal computers and computer peripheral devices: Up to $1,500 and software up to $350.
- School supplies: Not to exceed $50 per purchase, graphing calculators up to $150.
Ohio expanded sales tax holiday 2025
Ohio expanded its annual sales tax holiday into a two-week event, which ends at 11:59pm Aug. 14.
- The sales tax holiday includes "all tangible personal property that is $500 or less," including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, sporting goods, food and more.
Oklahoma sales tax holiday 2025
Oklahoma's three-day sales tax holiday is held the first Friday through Sunday in August annually.
Tax-free items:
- Clothing and footwear: Less than $100.
South Carolina tax-free weekend 2025
The annual sales tax holiday in South Carolina is Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3 and exempts eligible purchases from the 6% state tax and local taxes.
Tax-free items:
- Regardless of price, all computers, printers, school supplies, clothing and accessories, shoes and certain bed and bath items.
Virginia sales tax holiday 2025
Virginia's three-day sales tax holiday — Friday through Sunday — waives tax on school supplies, clothing, footwear, emergency preparedness items and select appliances.
Tax-free items:
- Clothing and footwear: $100 or less per item.
- School supplies: $20 or less.
West Virginia sales tax holiday 2025
West Virginia's sales tax holiday runs Friday through 11:59pm on Monday, Aug. 4, the state says.
Tax-free items:
- Clothing: $125 or less.
- Laptop and tablet computers: $500 or less.
- School supplies: $50 or less.
- School instruction material: $20 or less.
- Sports equipment: $150 or less.
Upcoming sales tax holidays
What's next: More tax holidays are coming next weekend and beyond.
- Texas holds a three-day tax holiday, Aug. 8-10.
- Massachusetts has a two-day holiday Aug. 9-10 and Maryland has its tax week Aug. 10-16.
- Connecticut's sales tax week runs Aug. 17-23.
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