States with back-to-school tax-free shopping

Kelly Tyko
USA TODAYPublished 6:00 AM EDT Jul 15, 2020Students might not be going back to school in person this fall, but back-to-school sales tax holidays are still happening.Like last year, 16 states are holding sales tax holidays to help families get ready for the upcoming school year. The savings, which are usually on clothes and school supplies, are open to all.Many school districts across the nation are still working on plans for the upcoming school year with some including Los Angeles and San Diego announcing they will start the year online due to the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus causes the disease COVID-19.Alabama’s holiday is first, with a three-day holiday kicking off Friday. Mississippi and Tennessee start their annual holidays July 31. Thirteen other states offer tax-free shopping in stores and online in August with the bulk happening the first weekend of the month.Target’s teacher discount is coming back: Here’s how educators, including home school teachers can save 15%Future of malls amid COVID-19: Can shopping malls survive the coronavirus pandemic and a new slate of permanent store closings?Tennessee, which also includes smartphones, televisions and video game consoles in its three-day tax holiday, doubled the price thresholds this year. It has a second sales tax holiday for food and drink sales at restaurants in August.”The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense economic strain on Tennessee families,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said in a news release. “These sales tax holidays will allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money and support Tennessee businesses.”Five states – Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon – don’t have a sales tax, according to the Tax Foundation. Most clothing also is tax-free year-round in states including Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.Tax holidays 2020Not every town and county are participating in the sales tax holidays, nor will every item be tax-free. Online shopping also is exempt from tax during the days. For some states, local taxes still apply.Alabama sales tax weekendDates: July 17-19What’s tax-free:Clothing and footwear: $100 or lessTechnology: Single purchases $750 or less of computers, computer software and school computer suppliesSchool supplies: $50 or lessBooks: $30 or lessFull list: www.revenue.alabama.gov/sales-use/sales-tax-holidaysArkansas sales tax holidayDates: Aug. 1-2What’s tax-free:Clothing and footwear: Less than $100Clothing accessories or equipment: Less than $50Select school supplies, school art supplies and instructional materials: No limitFull list: www.dfa.arkansas.govConnecticut tax-free weekDates: Aug. 16-22What’s tax-free: Clothing and footwear, less than $100Full list: www.ct.gov/DRSFlorida sales tax holiday Dates: Aug. 7-9What’s tax free:Clothing, footwear and accessories: $60 or lessSchool supplies: $15 or lessComputers and accessories: $1,000 or less per itemFull list: www.floridarevenue.com/backtoschoolIowa sales tax holidayDates: Aug. 7-8What’s tax-free: Clothing and footwear, less than $100Full list: https://tax.iowa.gov/iowas-annual-sales-tax-holidayMaryland tax-free weekDates: Aug. 9-15What’s tax-free:Clothing and footwear: $100 or lessBackpacks: The first $40 is tax-exemptFull list: www.marylandtaxes.govMassachusetts sales tax holidayDates: Aug. 29-30What’s tax-free: Almost everything that costs up to $2,500. In Massachusetts, there is no sales tax on clothes under $175 year round.More information: www.mass.govMississippi sales tax holidayDates: July 31-Aug. 1What’s tax-free: Clothing, footwear and school supplies, less than $100 per itemFull list: www.dor.ms.govMississippi’s sales tax holiday 2020: What you need to knowMissouri sales tax holidayDates: Aug. 7-9What’s tax-free:Clothing: Up to $100School supplies: Not to exceed $50 per purchasePersonal computers: Up to $1,500Computer software: Up to $350Graphing calculators: Up to $150Full list: https://dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday/school/New Mexico tax holidayDates: Aug. 7-9What’s tax-free:Clothing and footwear: Less than $100Computers: $1,000 or lessComputer-related items: Up to $500School supplies: Less than $30Full list: www.tax.newmexico.govOhio sales tax holidayDates: Aug. 7-9What’s tax-free:Clothing: $75 or lessSchool supplies and instructional materials: $20 or lessFull list: https://tax.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/tax/home/news/sales-tax-holidayOklahoma sales tax holidayDates: Aug. 7-9What’s tax-free: Clothing and footwear, less than $100Full list: www.ok.gov/taxSouth Carolina sales tax holiday Dates: Aug. 7-9What’s tax-free: Clothing: No limitSchool supplies: No limitComputers, computer parts and accessories, printers, ink: No limitBooks and musical instruments: Tax-free if “used for school assignments.”Bed and bath: No limit, includes blankets, bed spreads, bed linens, towels, etc.Full list: www.dor.sc.gov/taxfreeweekendTennessee sales tax holidayDates: July 31-Aug. 2What’s tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $200 or lessSchool supplies: $200 or lessComputers, tablets, smart phones, televisions, video game consoles: $3,000 or lessFull list: www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday.htmlTexas sales tax holidayDates: Aug. 7-9What’s tax-free: Clothing and footwear: Less than $100School supplies and backpacks: Less than $100Full list: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/98-490/Virginia sales tax holidayDates: Aug. 7-9What’s tax-free: Clothing and footwear: $100 or lessSchool supplies: $20 or lessHurricane and emergency preparedness products: Portable generators up to $1,000; gas-powered chainsaws $350 or less; other specified hurricane preparedness items, $60 or less per item. Energy Star and WaterSense products: $2,500 or less per itemFull list: www.tax.virginia.gov/virginia-sales-tax-holidayContributing: Mary Hance, Nashville TennesseanFollow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko


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