Save Money With These 2024 State Tax Holidays

Get deals on backpacks, school supplies and clothing for back to school

Maura Kelly Lannan,

AARP

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En español

Published May 17, 2024

/ Updated August 13, 2024

Various items that may be subject to state tax holiday

AARP (Source: Getty Images; Shutterstock (4))

States With Tax Holidays

Alabama • Alaska • Arkansas • Connecticut • Florida • Iowa • Louisiana • Maryland • Massachusetts • Mississippi • Missouri • Nevada • New Jersey • New Mexico • Ohio • Oklahoma • Puerto Rico • South Carolina • Tennessee • Texas • Virginia • West Virginia • Back to School

Want to save a little more at the cash register? Shoppers can take advantage of state sales tax holidays throughout the year and skip paying the tax on certain purchases.

Twenty-one states and Puerto Rico offer sales tax holidays on products ranging from energy-efficient appliances to items, like batteries and flashlights, you need to prepare for a disaster. Looking for a kayak or surfboard? How about a new computer for your college student or ski boots for your next vacation? Some states have you covered.

These no-tax sales events can be days, weekends or even a full year during which states don’t charge that extra bit on particular items. Most of the holidays fall into three categories: disaster preparedness, energy-efficient appliances and back to school (and you don’t have to have a child or be in school yourself to take advantage). In some states, shoppers can find deals on clothes and shoes, art supplies or backpacks.

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays

Alabama, July 19–21
Arkansas, Aug. 3–4
Connecticut, Aug. 18–24
Florida, July 29–Aug. 11
Iowa, Aug. 2–3
Maryland, Aug. 11–17
Mississippi, July 12–14
Missouri, Aug. 2–4
New Jersey, Aug. 24–Sept. 2
New Mexico, Aug. 2–4
Oklahoma, Aug. 2–4
Puerto Rico, July 19-20 and Jan. 10-11, 2025
South Carolina, Aug. 2–4
Tennessee, July 26–28
Texas, Aug. 9–11
West Virginia, Aug. 2–5

Tax-free holidays have both fans and naysayers. Proponents like Brooke Lierman, the Maryland state comptroller, say consumers use sales tax holidays to keep more money in their wallets and stimulate the economy. When Maryland residents buy an energy-efficient dishwasher during the tax holiday, for example, it’s “a win for their pocketbooks [and] a win for our energy needs and for the environment,” she says.

Critics note that only certain items are included and that the economy sees only a shift in buying patterns, not a boost. “A better policy might be to reduce the rate and broaden the [tax] base,” says Manish Bhatt, senior policy analyst for the Tax Foundation, an independent think tank.

Browse our guide to sales tax holidays to find savings in your state.

Alabama

More About Taxes in Your State

Get the details on how much you'll pay with our state tax guides.

Disaster or emergency preparedness items, Feb. 23–25

What’s included: Items needed in severe weather, like portable generators and power cords, that cost $1,000 or less as well as batteries, plywood and smoke detectors that cost $60 or less. Check if your county or municipality participates, because not all do.

Back to school, July 19–21

What’s included: Clothing that costs $100 or less; computers up to $750 and computer software; school supplies and art supplies; books. Check if your county or municipality participates.

Alaska

Municipality of Skagway, Oct. 1, 2023–March 31, 2024

What’s included: Most retail items sold in Skagway.

Arkansas

Back to school, Aug. 3–4

What’s included: Clothes and shoes that cost up to $100; accessories that cost less than $50; school and art supplies; electronic devices for students.

Connecticut

Back to school, Aug. 18–24

What’s included: Clothing and footwear that costs less than $100.

Florida

Disaster or emergency preparedness, June 1–June 14 and Aug. 24–Sept. 6

What’s included: Portable generators that cost up to $3,000; tarps, pet carriers, dog or cat food weighing 50 pounds or less and over-the-counter pet medications that cost up to $100; carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms or detectors and fire extinguishers that cost up to $70; coolers and portable power banks that cost $60 or less; portable or two-way radios, gas tanks, batteries that cost up to $50; flashlights, lanterns and pet beds that cost up to $40; cat litter; pet leashes; pet collars; reusable ice; can openers; travel or collapsible water bowls for pets; cat litter pans; pet waste disposable bags; and wet dog or cat food.

Energy-efficient appliances, July 1, 2023–June 20, 2024

What’s included: Refrigerators or combination refrigerator-freezer units that cost $4,500 or less; water heaters, washing machines or clothes dryers that cost $1,500 or less.

Gas ranges and cooktops, July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024

What’s included: Gas ranges or cooktops fueled by combustible gas. Outdoor gas grills, camping stoves or other portable stoves are not included.

Back to school, July 29–Aug. 11

What’s included: Personal computers and computer accessories that cost up to $1,500; clothing, footwear and accessories that cost up to $100; school supplies; learning aids and jigsaw puzzles.

Freedom Sales Tax Holiday, July 1–31

What’s included: Summer-related items like fishing, camping, boating, water and outdoor activity supplies; admission to state parks, museums and events or performances; outdoor recreation equipment, including canoes, kayaks and surfboards.

Tool Time, Sept. 1–7

What's included: Power tools and tool boxes for vehicles that cost up to $300; ladders that cost up to $250; work boots that cost up to $175; power tool batteries, handheld pipe cutters, drain opening tools and plumbing inspection equipment that costs up to $150; industry textbooks and code books that cost up to $125; tool belts, electrical voltage and testing equipment, shop lights and hardhats that cost up to $100; tool boxes; hearing protection items; hand tools; safety glasses; coveralls; duffle bags; LED flashlights; shovels; rakes; fuel cans; safety vests; and work gloves.

Iowa

Back to school, Aug. 2–3

What’s included: Clothing and footwear costing less than $100.

Louisiana

Second Amendment, Sept. 6–8

What’s included: Firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies, including archery items, hunting apparel, accessories and safety equipment.

Maryland

Energy-efficient appliances, Feb. 17–19

What’s included: Solar water heaters and Energy Star products including air conditioners, washing machines and dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, standard-size refrigerators, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, boilers and programmable thermostats.

Back to school, Aug. 11–17

What’s included: Clothing and shoes that cost $100 or less; first $40 of a backpack or book bag.

Massachusetts

Sales tax holiday, Aug. 10–11

What’s included: Most items that cost $2,500 or less and are for personal use. Some things, such as motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, are not included.

Mississippi

Back to school, July 12–14

What’s included: Clothing, footwear and school supplies that cost less than $100.

Second Amendment, Aug. 30–Sept. 1

What’s included: Firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies, such as archery equipment, holsters and belts.

Missouri

Energy-efficient appliances, April 19–25

What’s included: Energy Star–certified new appliances costing up to $1,500, including washing machines and dryers, water heaters, dishwashers, air conditioners, furnaces, refrigerators, freezers and heat pumps.

Back to school, Aug. 2–4

What’s included: Computers that cost $1,500 or less; computer software worth $350 or less; graphing calculators that cost up to $150; clothing that costs up to $100; school supplies.

Nevada

National Guard, Oct. 25–27

What’s included: National Guard members can get reimbursed for the sales tax they pay on items. A request with receipts must be submitted to the Nevada Department of Taxation for reimbursement.

New Jersey

Back to school, Aug. 24–Sept. 2

What’s included: Computers that cost less than $3,000; school computer supplies, such as printers, that cost less than $1,000; school supplies and art supplies; sports or recreational equipment, like bike helmets and ski boots.

New Mexico

Back to school, Aug. 2–4

What’s included: Computers, e-readers and tablets that cost $1,000 or less; computer-related items, like a monitor or printer, that cost $500 or less; calculators that cost up to $200; clothing, footwear, backpacks, maps and globes that cost less than $100; school supplies.

Small Business Saturday Gross Receipts, Nov. 30

What’s included: Small businesses that meet certain criteria can deduct the gross receipts tax they paid on the sale of certain items that cost less than $500.

Ohio

Sales tax holiday, July 30–Aug. 8

What’s included: Almost everything that costs $500 or less. Some items, such as motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, are not included.

Oklahoma

Back to school, Aug. 2–4

What’s included: Clothing and footwear that costs less than $100.

Puerto Rico

Back to school, July 19–20 and Jan. 10-11, 2025

What’s included: Art and music supplies; school supplies; school uniforms.

Disaster or emergency preparedness, May 24–26

What’s included: Portable generators that cost $3,000 or less; other items, including batteries, fire extinguishers and tarps.

South Carolina

Back to school, Aug. 2–4

What’s included: New and used clothing; footwear; computers, printers, printer supplies and computer software; items for your bed and bath, like sheets and towels; school supplies.

Tennessee

Back to school, July 26–28

What’s included: Computers that cost $1,500 or less; clothing and school supplies that cost $100 or less.

Texas

Disaster or emergency preparedness, April 27–29

What’s included: Items you might need in an emergency, like portable generators, that cost less than $3,000; hurricane shutters and emergency ladders that cost less than $300; and household batteries, fuel containers and flashlights that cost less than $75.

Energy-efficient appliances, May 25–27

What’s included: Energy Star–qualified air conditioners that cost $6,000 or less; refrigerators that cost $2,000 or less; ceiling fans; incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs; clothes washers; dishwashers; dehumidifiers.

Water-efficient products, May 25–27

What’s included: Products with a WaterSense logo or label, including showerheads, bathroom sink faucets, toilets, urinals and landscape irrigation control. Lawn and garden products that help conserve water outdoors at your home also qualify, including soakers or drip-irrigation hoses; mulch; rain barrels; plants, trees and grasses; soil and compost.

Back to school, Aug. 9–11

What’s included: Clothing, footwear and backpacks used by students; school supplies.

Virginia

Three-day sales tax holiday, Aug. 2–4

What’s included: Energy Star or WaterSense products that cost $2,500 or less; portable generators that cost $1,000 or less; gas-powered chainsaws that cost $350 or less; clothing and footwear that costs $100 or less; school supplies; chainsaw accessories; hurricane preparedness items.

West Virginia

Back to school, Aug. 2–5

What’s included: Laptop and tablet computers that cost $500 or less; sports equipment that costs $150 or less; clothing that costs $125 or less; school supplies.

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Maura Kelly Lannan is a writer, editor and producer for AARP who covers federal and state policy. She has worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Waterbury, Connecticut, Republican-American. She also has written for Bloomberg Government, The Boston Globe and other publications.