Millions of families shopping for back-to-school essentials could save through state sales tax holidays, which temporarily waive taxes on items like clothing and school supplies.

Many states are still offering at least one tax-free shopping period this year, with some running into early-to-mid August. Several states already held their 2026 tax-free shopping holidays, including Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and New Mexico, with events taking place in July and early August.

Florida’s holiday runs the longest, from July 20 through August 20, while states including Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Virginia are holding three-day events from August 7 to 9. Maryland, Connecticut and Massachusetts have later August dates.

Most states cover clothing, shoes, school supplies and backpacks, while some also include computers, tablets, software and other learning tools. Florida and South Carolina offer broader exemptions, including items like computers, printers and educational supplies.

However, not all tax holidays focus on back-to-school shopping. Some states offer separate tax breaks for items like hunting, fishing and camping gear, while Massachusetts allows shoppers to avoid sales tax on most purchases up to $2,500 during its August holiday.

Here are the states with tax-free holidays:

Connecticut

  • Dates: August 16–22
  • Tax-free items: Clothing, footwear, backpacks and non-electronic school supplies up to $300

Florida (Back-to-School)

  • Dates: July 20–August 20
  • Tax-free items: School supplies up to $50, clothing, footwear, and accessories up to $100 and computers up to $1,500

Florida (Outdoor/Hunting)

  • Dates: September 1–December 31
  • Tax-free items: Hunting, fishing and camping supplies

Illinois

Iowa

Louisiana

  • Dates: September 4–6
  • Tax-free items: Hunting supplies and safety equipment

Maryland

Massachusetts

  • Dates: August 8–9
  • Tax-free items: Tangible personal property priced at $2,500 or less

Mississippi

  • Dates: August 28–30
  • Tax-free items: Hunting supplies

Missouri

  • Dates: August 7–9
  • Tax-free items: School supplies up to $50, clothing up to $100 and computers up to $1,500

Ohio

  • Dates: August 7–9
  • Tax-free items: All tangible personal property, with some exceptions, up to $500

Oklahoma

South Carolina

  • Dates: August 7–9
  • Tax-free items: Clothing, accessories, footwear, school supplies, computers, printers, printer supplies, and computer software and data

Texas

Virginia

  • Dates: August 7–9
  • Tax-free items: School supplies up to $20, clothing and footwear up to $100, hurricane and emergency preparedness items (various limits), and certain energy- and water-saving products up to $2,500