2020 Sales Tax Holiday Dates By State for Back to School

Going back to school this year is looking different for all of us. While some of you are opting to send your kids to school partially or fully, other parents are deciding to keep their kids at home for distance learning or homeschooling. No matter what your decision is regarding your child’s education, they will need supplies and other items for back to school.

Every year, I’ve shared a list of sales tax holiday dates by state, and this year is no exception. Preparing for back to school and all that it entails can be pretty pricey, so this list will come in handy for those of you who are looking to take advantage of the tax free weekend.

Sales Tax Free holidays occur in many states, often around Back to School time to help parents with the cost of BTS shopping. In most instances, it takes place over a weekend or two to three day time span. You can purchase items like clothing, school supplies, and some tech like computers and laptops without paying sales tax. This can really help when purchasing big ticket items (and if you don’t have a child, you can still get the discount on these items).

Please check out my list of 2020 Sales Tax Holidays by State, as it gives you the dates in your state, what is covered, and more.  In some states, this includes things for your home as well.

States like California, New York, Illinois, and Georgia currently do not have Sales Tax Holidays.

The dollar amounts are “up-to” amounts, meaning that if what you purchase at one time is higher than the maximum cost, you will pay tax on it.

State	Days	Items Included	Maximum Cost	1stYear	2020 Dates	Information Links *
Alabama	3	hurricane preparedness generators – $1,000 supplies – $60		2012	February 21-23	http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/
Alabama	3	clothing – $100 computers – $750 school supplies – $50 books – $30		2006	July 17-19	http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/
Arkansas	2	clothing – $100 school supplies		2011	August 1-2	http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/
Connecticut	7	clothing and footwear – $100		2001	August 16-22	http://www.ct.gov/drs/
Florida	6	disaster preparedness generators – $750 other supplies – $50		2017+	May 29-June 4	http://floridarevenue.com/
Florida	3	clothing – $60 school supplies – $15 computers – $1,000		2007+	August 7-9	http://floridarevenue.com/
Iowa	2	clothing – $100		2000	August 7-8	https://tax.iowa.gov/
Maryland	3	energy star products		2011	February 15-17	https://www.marylandtaxes.gov/
Maryland	7	clothing & footwear-$100		2010	August 9-15	http://www.marylandtaxes.com/
Massachusetts	2	all TPP – $2,500		2004+	August 29-30	https://www.mass.gov/
Mississippi	2	clothing & footwear – $100		2009	July 31-Aug 1	http://www.dor.ms.gov/
Mississippi	3	firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies		2014	Sept. 4-6	http://www.dor.ms.gov/
Missouri	7	energy star products – $1,500		2009	April 19-25	http://dor.mo.gov/
Missouri	3	clothing – $100 computers – $1,500 school supplies – $50		2004	August 7-9	http://dor.mo.gov/
New Mexico	3	clothing – $100 computers – $1,000 computer equip. – $500 school supplies – $30		2005	August 7-9	http://www.tax.newmexico.gov
Ohio	3	clothing – $75 school supplies – $20		2015	August 7-9	https://www.tax.ohio.gov/
Oklahoma	3	clothing – $100		2007	August 7-9	http://www.tax.ok.gov/
South Carolina	3	clothing school supplies computers other		2000	August 7-9	http://dor.sc.gov/
Tennessee	3	clothing – $200 school supplies – $200 computers – $3,000		2006	July 31-Aug. 2	http://tn.gov/revenue/
Tennessee	3	Restaurants		2020	August 7-9	http://tn.gov/revenue/
Texas	3	generators – $3,000 storm devices – $300 preparedness items – $75		2016	April 25-27	http://comptroller.texas.gov
Texas	3	energy star products air conditioners – $6,000; other – $2,000		2008	May 23-25	http://comptroller.texas.gov/
Texas	3	clothing, backpacks and school supplies- $100		1999	August 7-9	http://comptroller.texas.gov/
Virginia	3	clothing – $100 school supplies – $20 energy star products – $2,500 hurricane preparedness items – $60 generators – $1,000		2006	August 7-9	http://www.tax.virginia.gov/

Despite a possible rocky start to the school year thanks to Covid-19, I hope that this will be an amazing school year for us all.