2015 State Sales Tax Holidays

‘Back to School’ Tax-Free Holidays in 18 States

There are currently 18 states that offer shoppers “back-to-school” sales tax holidays. During these holidays, you can purchase many school-related products (such as clothing, footwear, backpacks, and books) without paying state sales tax. However, keep in mind that some local and municipal sales taxes may still apply.

Here are the sales tax holidays for 2015, in alphabetical order by state.

NOTE: The tax-free products listed below include price limits per item.

Alabama

State sales tax rate: 4%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–9

Tax-free products: Computers & software (priced $750 or less); clothing (priced $100 or less); school supplies (priced $50 or less); books (priced $30 or less)

For more information, visit the Alabama Department of Revenue website.

Arkansas

State sales tax rate: 6.5%

2015 holiday dates: August 1–2

Tax-free products: School supplies; clothing (priced $100 or less); apparel accessories (priced $50 or less)

For more information, visit the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website.

Connecticut

State sales tax rate: 6.35%

2015 holiday dates: August 16–22

Tax-free products: Clothing and footwear (priced $100 or less)

For more information, see Special Notice #5, available on the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services website.

Florida

State sales tax rate: 6%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–15

Tax-free products: Computers and related accessories (priced $750 or less); clothing and footwear (priced $100 or less); school supplies (priced $15 or less)

For more information, see Publication #15A01-05, available on the Florida Department of Revenue website.

Georgia

State sales tax rate: 4%

2015 holiday dates: July 31 – August 1

Tax-free products: Computers and related accessories (priced $1,000 or less); clothing and footwear (priced $100 or less); school supplies (priced $20 or less)

For more information, visit the Georgia Department of Revenue website.

Iowa

State sales tax rate: 6%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–8

Tax-free products: Clothing and footwear (priced under $100)

For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

Louisiana

State sales tax rate: 4%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–8

Tax-free products: Most individual items of tangible personal property (priced $2,500 or less)

For more information, visit the Louisiana Department of Revenue website.

Maryland

State sales tax rate: 6%

2015 holiday dates: August 9–15

Tax-free products: Clothing and footwear (priced $100 or less)

For more information, visit the Comptroller of Maryland website.

Massachusetts

State sales tax rate: 6.25%

2015 holiday dates: August 15–16

Tax-free products: Most individual items of tangible personal property (priced $2,500 or less)

Note that Massachusetts’s holiday has not yet been signed into law (it is currently awaiting the governor’s signature). For more information, visit the Massachusetts Department of Revenue website.

Mississippi

State sales tax rate: 7%

2015 holiday dates: July 31 – August 1

Tax-free products: Clothing and footwear (priced under $100)

For more information, visit the Mississippi Department of Revenue website.

Missouri

State sales tax rate: 4.225%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–9

Tax-free products: Computers and peripheral devices (priced $3,500 or less); computer software (priced $350 or less); clothing (priced $100 or less); school supplies (priced $50 or less)

For more information, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website.

New Mexico

State sales tax rate: 5.125%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–9

Tax-free products: Computers (priced $1,000 or less); computer hardware (priced $500 or less); clothing or shoes (priced under $100); school supplies (priced under $30)

For more information, visit the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department website.

Ohio

State sales tax rate: 5.75%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–9

Tax-free products: Clothing (priced $75 or less); school supplies and instructional materials (priced $20 or less)

For more information, visit the Ohio Department of Taxation website.

Oklahoma

State sales tax rate: 4.5%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–9

Tax-free products: Clothing and footwear (priced under $100)

For more information, visit the Oklahoma Tax Commission website.

South Carolina

State sales tax rate: 6%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–9

Tax-free products: Clothing and footwear; school supplies; computers and computer software; bed and bath linens

For more information, see SC Information Letter #15-7, available on the South Carolina Department of Revenue website.

Tennessee

State sales tax rate: 7%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–9

Tax-free products: Computers (priced $1,500 or less); clothing (priced $100 or less); school supplies (priced $100 or less)

For more information, visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue website.

Texas

State sales tax rate: 6.25%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–9

Tax-free products: Clothing and footwear (priced under $100); school supplies and backpacks (priced under $100)

For more information, visit the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website.

Virginia

State sales tax rate: 5.3%

2015 holiday dates: August 7–9

Tax-free products: Clothing and footwear (priced $100 or less); school supplies (priced $20 or less); hurricane and emergency preparedness items (such as portable generators priced $1,000 or less); Energy Star and WaterSense items (priced $2,500 or less)

For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Taxation website.

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