TeacherLists Blog

Tax-Free Weekends—a Great Time To Shop Your Supply Lists


by Elizabeth S. Leaver

If you’re in a state that has a tax-free weekend each year, now’s the time to be on the lookout for both the date and the types of savings you can enjoy. For parents, it’s the perfect opportunity to save some cash on school supplies (it all adds up!), and for teachers, it could even be a chance to make a bigger purchase at a discount.

Wondering if your state has a tax-free weekend? Here are the 17 that participated in 2022: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

To find out if your state has a back-to-school shopping tax-free weekend, check this list compiled by the Sales Tax Institute.

If you live in a participating state, you can save considerably, depending on what you’re hoping to buy. Some states, like Connecticut, limit the savings to specific items like footwear and clothing. In others, like Massachusetts, the tax-free weekend might be the perfect time to make a larger purchase like a printer for your home or classroom, since most purchases under $2,500 are eligible there.

Just be sure to read the fine print—many of these states do specify that school supplies are eligible, but not all. Also keep in mind that you don’t have to live in a state to take advantage of sales. If you happen to border a tax-free-weekend state, you can enjoy that state’s discounts, too. (Not ready yet to face possibly crowded shopping situations? Plan ahead and order for curbside pickup.)

Most large retailers will also be participating, which means you can shop online tax free if you live in a state with a tax-free weekend. Not only will you have the convenience of shopping your supply lists from trusted retailers including Target, Amazon, Walmart, and more, right from your phone—you’ll save money! Now that’s a win-win.


Originally posted 2020




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5 Comments for Tax-Free Weekends—a Great Time To Shop Your Supply Lists

7 Smart Tips To Help You Ace Back-to-School Shopping | TeacherLists Parent Corner

[…] your state is holding a tax-free holiday this summer, you might want to hold off on buying big-ticket items like electronics or furniture […]

Eleanor Grise

When is the tax weekend for Virginia

Goldia Marie Lipsky

We pay enough taxes as it is.. The free school tax helps yisks helps all Americans to put their children in school against the pit their children in school with the supplies they need. By having that free tax week gives us pay gives us parents the ability is the ability to help the teachers with their help the teachers with their wish list. That they send home every year.

Goldia Marie Lipsky

You may give us a tax credit on big ticket items. But that does not help all Americans put their kids in school with all the school supplies that they need. Also be able to help the teachers with their wish list. That free school tax credit helps us a lot. Without it it makes it very hard on all of us Americans. Thank you very much

Jazmine Ramos

This is a great tax free for schools and helps a lot of parents.