Check tax-free weekends and estimate savings on planned purchases.
For informational purposes only. Tax rates change frequently — verify with your state's Department of Revenue before filing. This tool is not a substitute for professional tax advice.
For informational purposes only. Tax rates change frequently — verify with your state's Department of Revenue before filing. This tool is not a substitute for professional tax advice.
· Rates verified quarterly from the Tax Foundation and state Departments of Revenue.
Reference table of every scheduled tax-free period.
| State | Holiday | Dates | Eligible items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Back-to-School | 2026-08-01 → 2026-08-10 | Clothing under $100; School supplies under $15; Computers under $1,500 |
| Texas | Back-to-School | 2026-08-07 → 2026-08-09 | Clothing and footwear under $100; School supplies under $100 |
| Florida | Disaster Preparedness | 2026-06-01 → 2026-06-14 | Generators under $3,000; Gas containers; Tarps and waterproofing |
| Texas | Emergency Preparation Supplies | 2026-04-25 → 2026-04-27 | Emergency supplies under $3,000; Portable generators |
| Alabama | Back-to-School | 2026-07-17 → 2026-07-19 | Clothing under $100; School supplies under $50; Computers under $750 |
| Mississippi | Back-to-School | 2026-07-31 → 2026-08-01 | Clothing and footwear under $100 |
| South Carolina | Back-to-School | 2026-08-07 → 2026-08-09 | Clothing; School supplies; Computers and accessories |
| Tennessee | Back-to-School | 2026-07-31 → 2026-08-02 | Clothing under $100; School supplies under $100; Computers under $1,500 |
| Virginia | Emergency Preparedness | 2026-08-02 → 2026-08-04 | Emergency supplies; Generators; Portable lights |
| Maryland | Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week | 2026-08-09 → 2026-08-15 | Clothing and footwear under $100 |
A sales tax holiday is a temporary period — usually a weekend — during which a state waives sales tax on specific categories of goods. Most fall into three buckets: back-to-school (clothing, school supplies, computers), emergency preparedness (generators, batteries, tarps), and energy-efficient appliances. Around 18 US states run at least one sales tax holiday each year, with the exact dates and eligible items varying by state.
Plan large category purchases — laptops, generators, kids' wardrobe refresh — around the holiday window in your state. Per-item caps usually apply (e.g., 'computers under $1,500'), so the savings ceiling is bounded. The largest single-purchase savings typically come from emergency-preparedness holidays in Florida and Texas where high-ticket generators are eligible.
Most states extend the holiday to online purchases as long as the order is placed and accepted during the holiday window — even if the item ships afterward. Marketplace sellers and major retailers handle the tax exemption automatically at checkout. Check your state's published rules before assuming an online order qualifies.
Bundled items where part is eligible and part isn't are usually taxable in full. Layaway purchases generally qualify if final payment falls within the window. Returns made after the holiday but for items bought during it are refunded with no tax. Coupons applied before tax can push items under the per-item cap and into eligibility.
Quick answers to the most common questions users ask.
Approximately 18 states, including Florida, Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, run annual holidays. These typically fall into three categories: Back‑to‑School (July/August), Emergency Preparedness (Spring), and Energy Star/Green holidays. See the 2026 schedule in the table above.
Eligibility is strictly defined by each state. Common items include clothing under $100, school supplies, computers under $1,500, and disaster-relief supplies like generators and batteries. Check the per-item caps in the 2026 reference table.
Most states extend the holiday to e-commerce if the order is placed and accepted during the window (destination-based). The transaction date matters more than the delivery date. TaxesLedger tracks these 2026 online compliance rules across all participating states.
Usually, the holiday waives both state and local rates. However, 'Home Rule' states (like Alabama or Colorado) may allow local jurisdictions to opt out of the holiday, meaning you might still pay the city/county portion.
Yes. If an item is $110 but a store coupon brings it down to $95 (below a $100 cap), it generally becomes tax-exempt. Manufacturer coupons, however, often don't reduce the price for tax-cap purposes.
In 2026, most states allow layaway items to qualify if the final payment is made during the holiday window or if the item is placed on layaway during the holiday. This is a key scenario for reverse reconciliation.
You should request a refund directly from the retailer. If they refuse, you can typically file a claim for a refund of sales tax paid in error with your state's Department of Revenue.
All rates, thresholds, and regulatory guidance cited on this page are sourced from official government publications and non-partisan research institutions.
IRS Sales Tax Calculator
The official Internal Revenue Service tool for determining deductible state and local sales tax for federal income tax purposes.
irs.govU.S. Census Bureau
Official government repository for quarterly state and local tax revenue statistics and government finance data.
census.govSupreme Court — Wayfair Decision
The official government opinion for South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., establishing modern economic nexus standards for remote sellers.
supremecourt.govSBA Business Tax Guide
Official Small Business Administration guidance on understanding federal and state tax obligations for small business owners.
sba.govStreamlined Sales Tax Board
The official inter-governmental organization facilitating the simplification of sales tax administration across 24 member states.
streamlinedsalestax.orgCalifornia CDTFA
Official CA tax rates portal, address-specific lookup tools, and district tax publications.
cdtfa.ca.govTexas Comptroller
The official Texas sales tax rate locator, local jurisdiction database, and nexus guidance.
comptroller.texas.govNew York Tax & Finance
Official NY jurisdiction lookup for combined state, local, and MTA rates, and clothing exemptions.
tax.ny.govFlorida Dept. of Revenue
Official FL resource for state sales tax rates, county surtaxes, and annual tax holidays.
floridarevenue.comMyTax Illinois
Official Illinois Department of Revenue portal for address-based tax rate lookups and filings.
tax.illinois.govPennsylvania Revenue
Official PA portal for sales, use, and hotel occupancy tax rates and regulatory guidance.
revenue.pa.govOhio 'The Finder'
Official Ohio Department of Taxation tool for looking up rates by address, ZIP, or GPS coordinates.
tax.ohio.govGeorgia Dept. of Revenue
Official Georgia sales and use tax rate charts and local jurisdiction tax distribution data.
dor.georgia.govNorth Carolina DOR
Official NCDOR portal for state, local, and transit tax rates by county and jurisdiction.
ncdor.govMichigan Treasury
Official Michigan Department of Treasury resources for the statewide 6% sales and use tax.
michigan.govTaxesLedger is an independent educational tool. We are not affiliated with any government agency. Rates are verified quarterly; always confirm with your jurisdiction's official Department of Revenue before filing. Last verification: May 15, 2026.
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