Tax-Free Weekends: Participating States for 2024

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As you map out your budget and shopping plans for the year, be sure to note your state’s tax-free weekend(s) or weeks on your calendar.

What is a tax-free weekend?

Tax-free weekends (or weeks, in some cases) go by a variety of names, including “sales tax holidays” or “back-to-school sales tax holidays.” They’re state-wide events during which shoppers can make certain purchases without paying state (and sometimes local) sales taxes. Some states hold more than one tax-free weekend each year (for emergency supplies, for energy-efficient appliances and for school supplies). However, back-to-school tax holidays are the most popular and anticipated for the average consumer – because they often include a wide range of general-use items.

States may choose whether to hold such a holiday or not and decide which types of items to waive taxes on. Typically, tax-exempt products include back-to-school clothing and gear, but may also include select electronics and software.

When is tax-free weekend 2024?

Some states have multiple tax-free weekends throughout the year. In these cases, one tends to fall during the late winter or spring, and the second will come up during the usual summer timeline. The majority of back-to-school tax-free weekends take place in the summer, in July or August.

In the table below, you’ll find information on tax-free weekend dates, rates and exempt items for participating states in 2024. Local taxes may still apply (depending on state law), so the tax you pay during tax-free weekends might vary by county, city and municipality.

What happened to Wisconsin’s tax-free weekend?

Wisconsin held a tax-free weekend in 2018 (and waived sales tax on clothing, school supplies and computers). However, it was a one-time deal. It’s not being continued annually.

What happened to Virginia’s tax-free weekend?

Virginia has held a tax-free weekend since 2015. However, the holiday expired on July 1, 2023.

Sales tax holidays, state by state (2024)

Generally, very little changes year by year when it comes to state sales-tax holidays.

What to know about tax-free weekends and weeks

Paying no taxes on purchases during your state’s sales tax holiday is exciting. However, it’s important to be aware of all your state’s rules before you go shopping – and use savvy shopping practices.

Keep the following in mind for the 2024 sales tax holiday season:

Waived taxes may not save you that much

Sales and local taxes vary. But expect tax-free weekends to save you somewhere between 4% and 7% on eligible purchases. That’s only $4 to $7 off a $100 purchase.

So don’t let the hype over tax-free weekends cause you to fill up your cart with things you don’t need. Instead, shop for back-to-school as you usually would and let waived taxes be icing on the cake.

That said, if your state’s tax-free weekend includes electronics or you live in Massachusetts (where practically everything is tax-free during the state’s sales tax holiday), even a small discount could save you a lot of money on a big-ticket purchase. For example, avoiding a 6% sales tax on a $1,000 laptop would save you $60. So consider saving any laptop shopping at Best Buy, Apple and Walmart for your state’s tax-free weekend (assuming it includes electronics).

As always, be sure to look for other discounts while you shop. Waived sales tax doesn’t prevent you from using other offers and coupons, so be sure to take advantage of all savings opportunities when shopping on a tax-free weekend.

Price thresholds can get complicated

Most states enforce a threshold of $100 on clothing and shoes during their tax-free shopping weekends. This means each item in your cart will need to be less than $100 if you want to buy it tax-free. Computers and electronics have price maximums as well – generally around $1,000. And you might see restrictions on school supplies, too – states range from having no maximum limit to $100.

Note that these price thresholds are often per item, not per order total. That makes clothing a particularly smart tax-free weekend buy. As long as each item in your cart is below the threshold, your order total can be high, and you’ll still get waived taxes on all your items. So consider saving your back-to-school shopping at merchants like Target, Kohl’s, Old Navy and others for your state’s tax-free weekend – and be sure to stock up on year-round basics, too (think jeans, socks, white T-shirts, etc.).

Remember, though, that states have various rules around buy one, get one (BOGO) offers, and shipping costs, when it comes to their price thresholds. So be sure to know whether BOGO offers are eligible and whether shipping costs might tip your purchase over into taxable territory.

Not everything you want to buy is an eligible item for your state’s tax holiday

States define qualifying items for their tax-free holidays very specifically. While some are broader, some states have very short lists of eligible items. For example, in some states, only clothing may be eligible for a sales tax exemption. In other states, clothing, school supplies and some electronics may be tax-free. Check your state’s rules carefully to see its full list of tax-free items.

Excluded items may not always be obvious

It’s also worthwhile to note that there may be specific exclusions on types of products. For instance, you might save on a pair of penny loafers – but specialized footwear, such as cowboy boots and cleats may not be eligible for a sales tax holiday exemption. So know your state’s law before you go shopping.

Rules vary when it comes to layaway sales during tax-free holidays

If the store you are shopping at happens to offer layaway, specific rules apply when it comes to getting a sales tax exemption. For example, some states might let you get a tax break if you place the item on layaway during the exemption period. Others may require you to make the final payment on your layaway item during that window. Check your state’s rules closely.

Is tax-free weekend online, too?

Yes. In all states offering tax-free weekends in 2024, the tax will be waived on online purchases if:

1. The business you shop with does business in the state that’s holding a sales tax holiday (that’s almost all major retailers).

2. You complete and pay for your purchase during your state’s tax-free weekend.

3. You purchase an item that’s eligible for waived taxes.

4. You live in the applicable state.

In fact, many retailers, including Walmart, often launch tax-free shopping landing pages during the state sales-tax holiday season.

Shopping online during a tax-free holiday presents one major challenge, however: shipping costs. Some states consider shipping charges to be part of an item’s cost. Others don’t. So be sure to check your state’s rules. In some states, shipping charges could bump the item’s purchase price past your state’s price threshold – and, thus, make it taxable.