Our Military Life Blog

Tax-Free Back-to-School Shopping Returns

Back-to-school tax-free shopping is returning to several states this summer, allowing savings on a variety of items, including clothing, footwear, school supplies, and even computers in some states. These states are currently scheduled to host tax-free holidays on these dates. Please verify in your location as some states have not yet finalized and published details.

Tax-Free Shopping by State:

  • Alabama7/17/26 – 7/19/26 – Clothes, computers, textbooks, school supplies, school art, and school instructional material
  • Alaska – No state sales tax – Some locations may waive local sales tax
  • Arizona – None scheduled
  • Arkansas8/1/26 – 8/2/26 – Clothing, electronics, school supplies, school art, and school instructional material
  • California – None scheduled
  • Colorado – None scheduled
  • Connecticut8/16/26 – 8/22/26 – Clothing
  • Delaware – No state sales tax
  • Florida 8/1/26 – 8/31/26 – Personal computers and accessories, wallets, backpacks, school supplies, learning aids, and clothing
  • Georgia – None scheduled
  • Hawaii – None scheduled
  • Idaho – None scheduled
  • Illinois – None scheduled
  • Indiana – None scheduled
  • Iowa8/7/26 – 8/8/26 – Clothing and footwear.
  • Kansas – None scheduled
  • Kentucky – None scheduled
  • Louisiana – None scheduled
  • Maine – None scheduled
  • Maryland08/09/26 – 8/15/26 – Clothing, footwear, and backpacks.
  • Massachusetts8/15/26 – 8/16/26
  • Michigan – None scheduled
  • Minnesota – Proposed but not enacted – 7/1/26 – 7/31/26
  • Mississippi7/10/26 – 7/12/2026 – Clothing, footwear, and school supplies
  • Missouri8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, computers, and school supplies
  • Montana – No state sales tax
  • Nebraska – None scheduled
  • Nevada – None scheduled
  • New Hampshire – No state sales tax
  • New Jersey – None scheduled
  • New Mexico7/25/26 – 7/27/26 – Clothing, shoes, computers & software, school supplies
  • New York – None scheduled
  • North Carolina – None scheduled
  • North Dakota – None scheduled
  • Ohio8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, school supplies, school instructional materials
  • Oklahoma8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing items
  • Oregon – No sales tax
  • Pennsylvania – None scheduled
  • Rhode Island – None scheduled
  • South Carolina8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, accessories, shoes, school supplies, backpacks, and computers
  • South Dakota – None scheduled
  • Tennessee7/31/26 – 8/2/26
  • Texas8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks
  • Vermont – None scheduled
  • Virginia – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – (Virginia Department of Taxation website not updated as of 6/15/26)
  • Washington – None scheduled
  • Washington D.C. – None scheduled
  • West Virginia – None scheduled
  • Wisconsin – None scheduled
  • Wyoming – None scheduled

Prefer to shop on base? Military families can prepare for the back-to-school shopping season with double the savings on back-to-school essentials at Exchange Stores during their state’s sales tax holiday.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Finance!

Charlie Marlow

With over 22 years of active-duty Air Force experience in military pay and travel entitlements, Charlie Marlow brings his extensive knowledge of military finance with his passion to help others reach their financial goals through common sense financial practices. Charlie holds a BS in Business Finance from Liberty University, is an Accredited Financial Counselor®, a Dave Ramsey trained Financial Coach, and co-founder, administrator, and frequent contributor to the Facebook group Military Money Matters. He still supports the Air Force and DoD as a contractor budget analyst at the Pentagon. When not writing or helping others create a personal financial plan, you can find him cycling around the National Capitol Region or enjoying classic TV shows.