2022 Guide to Tax-Free Weekend in Your State
From new clothes to new laptops and notebooks, back-to-school shopping can get expensive. But by using your state’s free sales tax weekend holiday, you can get the things you need without breaking the bank! If you’re looking to save as much money as possible ahead of a new school year, here’s our guide to tax-free weekend in your state.
Also, if hurricanes or severe weather plague the area you live in, you might be able to save on emergency preparedness items with a special sales tax holiday.
Tax-Free Weekend by State
When does tax-free weekend start? What is included in tax-free weekend? Scroll to your state to find out and save!
Tax-Free Weekend in Alabama
If you’re an Alabama resident, you don’t have to wait long to save on your back-to-school expenses. From Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17, you’ll be able to purchase many school supplies ($50 or less per item), computers and computer supplies ($750 or less single purchase), and clothing items ($100 or less per article) completely free of state sales tax.
Earlier in the year, Alabama also held a Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. This allowed residents to stock up on batteries, plywood, ice packs, first aid kits, and other supplies to help deal with a natural disaster. This year’s event took place in late February, so be on the lookout for another one in 2023.
Find the full details here: Alabama Department of Revenue
Tax-Free Weekend in Arkansas
In Arkansas, tax-free weekend has been held in early August for several years running. And in 2022 it runs August 6-7. Residents can save by not paying sales tax on qualifying school supplies, school art supplies, certain electronic devices, school instructional materials, and clothing.
Check here for updates: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
Tax-Free Weekend in Florida
Later in the summer, Florida residents can purchase select school supplies, clothing, footwear, and personal computers free of state sales taxes. Florida’s sales tax holiday typically takes place in early August, and in 2022 it runs July 25-August 7. That’s right, Governor DeSantis’ tax relief bill made it a two-week affair! The bill also paved the way for a fuel tax holiday, a sales tax holiday for diapers, a tax holiday for baby clothes, and more that take place during various times over the next year.
Check back here for updates: Florida Department of Revenue
Tax-Free Weekend in Georgia
Unfortunately, Georgia hasn’t participated in tax-free weekend the last few years. However, Georgia residents can always take a short trip to a neighboring state, like Alabama or Florida, to take advantage of no-sales-tax savings.
Tax-Free Weekend in Mississippi
In the Magnolia State, people can save on clothing, footwear, and school supplies priced under $100 from July 29 to July 30. Items more than $100 are still subject to the state’s typical sales tax.
Find more details about the sales tax holiday here: Mississippi Department of Revenue
Tax-Free Weekend in North Carolina
Several years ago, North Carolina lawmakers discontinued the sales tax holiday. If you still want to save money on schools supplies or clothes, you can always make a trip to a neighboring state during its tax-free weekend!
Tax-Free Weekend in Ohio
In 2019, Ohio passed legislation that paved the way for a permanent sales tax holiday falling on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of August every year. This year, those dates fall Friday, August 5 – Sunday, August 7. Like in most other states, shoppers can expect to save some money by not having to pay sales tax on qualifying school supplies, school instructional supplies, and clothing items.
Check out the full details here: Ohio Department of Taxation
Tax-Free Weekend in South Carolina
On the first full weekend of August (Friday through Sunday), back-to-school and clothing shoppers in South Carolina can avoid paying state sales tax on applicable items. In fact, over the past 20 years, shoppers have been able to save millions of dollars by buying during this holiday.
For specific details, click here: South Carolina Department of Revenue
Tax-Free Weekend in Tennessee
Tennessee shoppers can expect to save on qualifying school supplies, computers, and clothing from the last Friday in July through the following Sunday, creating a roughly 72-hour window for saving. In addition to the traditional tax-free weekend for school supplies and clothing, Tennessee has run special tax-free weekends for other select items, like groceries, so be sure to check out the Department of Revenue’s site for any announcements.
Check out the full list of exemptions here: TN Department of Revenue
Tax-Free Weekend in Texas
From Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7, Texas residents can purchase exempt items (most clothing, footwear, school supplies, select backpacks, etc.) tax-free. The Texas Comptroller notes you can purchase qualifying items in-person or online.
If you have questions about any specific qualifying items, check here: Texas Comptroller
Tax-Free Weekend in Virginia
Once again, Virginia is combining its regular back-to-school sales tax holiday with a hurricane and emergency preparedness sales tax holiday. On the first full weekend of August (Friday through Sunday), shoppers can purchase qualifying clothing, footwear, school supplies, and hurricane preparedness items without facing the state’s sales tax. Shoppers can also purchase qualifying Energy Star™ or WaterSense™ items.
For full details, visit this link: Virginia Tax
Is it tax-free weekend?
For a quick overview of the tax-free weekend happening in your state, have a look at this handy chart.
| State | 2021 Tax-Free Weekend Date | Items Included |
| AL | July 15-17 | Clothing, computers, school supplies, books |
| AR | August 6-7 | Clothing, school supplies, certain electronic devices |
| FL | July 25-August 7 | School supplies, clothing, footwear, computers |
| GA | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| MS | July 29-30 | Clothing, footwear, school supplies |
| NC | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| OH | August 5-7 | Clothing, school supplies |
| SC | August 5-7 | Clothing, school supplies, computers |
| TN | July 29-31 | Clothing, school supplies, computers |
| TX | August 5-7 | Clothing, backpacks, school supplies |
| VA | August 5-7 | Clothing, school supplies, energy start products, hurricane preparedness items, generators |
Tax-Free Weekend Shopping Tips
Research the best deal.
By planning ahead, you can purchase items your family may need not only for the first month of school but also for a few months following it as well.
You also leave yourself enough time to compare prices of items you’re looking to purchase. Do an online search for several stores you plan to shop at and compare prices. For instance, if you like to buy your family’s jeans at a couple different retailers, visit their websites to compare prices on denim. Do the same search for your state’s other qualifying items too.
Prepare before you go.
Make a list of the items you need to buy, and then check your state’s dollar limit. Dollar limits apply to each item you buy, not your entire purchase (but dollar limits are not the same in every state). Here’s an example: State A says that qualifying footwear “$100 and under” is tax-free; State B says that qualifying footwear “under $100” is free from tax. In State A, a $100 pair of shoes would be tax-free, but they would have to be $99.99 or less in State B in order to be tax-free.
Tax-Free Weekend FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about state sales tax holidays.
Question: Can you buy a car during tax-free weekend?
Answer: Unlikely. Sales tax holidays normally allow residents to purchase qualifying school supplies and articles of clothing under a certain price. Even states with a more generous list of tax-exempt items are likely to exclude such a large purchase. However, laws are always changing, so be sure to check your state’s Department of Revenue for the final say.
Question: Can you buy a TV on tax-free weekend?
Answer: It depends. Sales tax holidays typically allow residents to purchase select school supplies and clothing under a certain price. However, some states (like Massachusetts) have fewer restrictions on what you can buy and higher maximum purchase amounts. Other states, like Florida, have introduced sales tax holidays for new categories of items that fall outside of the traditional back-to-school supplies and clothing. Check your state’s Department of Revenue for full details.
Question: Can you buy furniture on tax-free weekend?
Answer: It depends. Sales tax holidays typically allow residents to purchase select school supplies and clothing under a certain price. However, some states (like Massachusetts) have fewer restrictions on what you can buy and higher maximum purchase amounts. Other states, like Florida, have introduced sales tax holidays for new categories of items that fall outside of the traditional back-to-school supplies and clothing. Be sure to check your state’s Department of Revenue for full details on what is and isn’t exempt.
Question: Can you buy a laptop on tax-free weekend?
Answer: It depends. Certain states allow residents to purchase computers under a specific dollar amount free of state sales tax. Check your state’s Department of Revenue to learn more.
Question: Can you do tax-free weekend online?
Answer: Yes. Most large retailers, like Amazon, are typically aware of sales tax holidays and will apply them on their website. If you’re shopping with a small business online or see a sales tax charge, contact them directly to address your question.
Question: Can you use coupons on tax-free weekend?
Answer: Yes. Unless a retailer has specific exclusions listed, you should be able to use your coupons.
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