Many states offer tax-free holidays throughout the year to help shoppers save money. If you’re not up to date on sales tax holidays in your state, you could be missing out on major savings.
Here’s how these tax holidays work and what to know about the remaining tax-free shopping dates in your state.
What is a sales tax holiday?
A sales tax holiday is when a state removes the sales tax on a category of items for a set period. These holidays vary by state and may not land on the same day(s) each year.
The items you can save on also vary by state, though many states hold tax-free holidays around the back-to-school season, which help families save on items such as clothing, technology, school supplies, books, and more. Some states also include items for natural disaster preparedness, firearms, and hunting supplies.
Read more: 5 smart ways to save money on back-to-school supplies
How sales tax holidays work
The rules for state tax holidays will vary depending on the state you live in and the type of sales tax holiday it is.
Typically, the state tax office will release guidelines for each holiday that outline which purchases fall into the tax-free category and the date(s) of the holiday. Many states put purchase limits in place as well. This means that even if your purchase falls into the “tax-free” category, only a portion of your purchase will be tax-free, usually up to a specific dollar amount.
It’s important to keep an eye on your state’s tax office website as well as the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) website for the most up-to-date information on upcoming tax holidays in your state, the items that qualify, and any rules you should be aware of.
Tax-free shopping dates in each state
Here’s a look at the remaining tax holidays in each state for the rest of 2026:
How to maximize your savings with a tax-free holiday
If there is an upcoming tax holiday in your state, there are a few steps you can take to maximize your savings.
-
Time your purchases carefully: Note upcoming tax holidays in your calendar and hold off on making qualifying purchases until then. For example, say you plan to purchase a laptop or a generator for your home, waiting until there’s a tax holiday to purchase big-ticket items can shave quite a bit off your final total.
-
Stack tax savings with other discounts: Tax holidays can help you trim your shopping bill, but you can lock in extra savings by pairing these holidays with store sales, manufacturer coupons, loyalty rewards programs, student discounts, and credit card cash-back rewards.
-
Do some comparison shopping: Compare prices at various retailers to make sure you’re getting the best possible price on the items you need, and also be aware that sometimes this could mean buying an item online. State tax holidays generally apply to online purchases as long as the qualifying item is purchased and shipped to an eligible state.
Read more: 7 ways to save money on a tight budget