- Several states offer sales tax exemptions on back-to-school supplies, including electronics.
- Many of the sales are timed for back-to-school shopping for students and families.
- The sales tax holidays in states like Florida and Massachusetts can offer big savings on computers and other items.
If you’re a Floridian eyeing a new MacBook, you might want to wait until next month to go shopping.
About a dozen US states are gearing up for the sales tax holidays they hold during back-to-school season each year. These holidays allow shoppers to buy certain items without paying state sales tax. For example, Florida’s sales tax holiday, held this year from August 1 to August 31, covers eligible clothing, shoes, accessories, school supplies, and computers that cost less than $1,500.
These state tax exemptions can offer big savings, especially on pricey items like electronics. In Massachusetts, shoppers could buy a brand new 16-inch MacBook Pro for its retail price of $2,499 instead of the estimated $2,720 a New Yorker would have to pay after tax. Apple is promoting the state tax exemptions on its website, as MacRumors previously reported.
Many of the states hold their tax holidays in July and August in preparation for students returning to school and advertise the tax-free period as a back-to-school sales tax holiday. The specific dates can vary from year to year.
Some also offer sales-tax breaks at other times of year on items such as emergency preparedness supplies or household appliances. Florida is set to give residents a tax break on hunting, camping, and fishing gear beginning September 8.
Sales taxes make up almost half of state tax revenues, according to 2024 Census data. These holidays combined will cost states and localities nearly $1.3 billion in lost revenue this year, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimated.
These are some states that have sales tax holidays for electronics and school supplies. Each state’s department of revenue or taxation website has more details.
These states offer tax savings on computers, tech accessories, and more
- Alabama (July 18 to July 20): Computers less than $750 and other items such as eligible clothing and school supplies
- Alaska (October 2024 to March 31, 2025): All retail sales in the Municipality of Skagway
- Arkansas (August 2 and August 3): Electronic devices, including laptops, and other items such as eligible clothing and school supplies
- Florida (August 1 to August 31): Computers $1,500 or less, and other items such as eligible clothing and school supplies
- Massachusetts (August 9 and August 10): Tangible personal property, including computers, $2,500 or less on
- Missouri (August 1 to August 3): Personal computers, $1,500 or less, and other items such as eligible clothing and school supplies
- New Mexico (July 25 to July 27): Computers $1,000 or less, related hardware for $500 or less, and other items such as eligible clothing and school supplies
- Ohio (August 1 to August 3): All tangible personal property that’s $500 or less
- South Carolina (August 1 to August 3): Computers and related supplies, as well as other items such as eligible clothing, bedding, and school supplies
- Tennessee (July 25 to July 27): Personal computers $1,500 or less, and other items such as eligible clothing and school supplies
- Virginia (August 1 to August 3): Cell phone chargers or batteries $60 or less
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West Virginia (August 1 to August 4): Computers $500 or less, and other items such as eligible clothing, school supplies, and sports equipment.
These states have sales tax holidays for other items like back-to-school supplies
Several states also offer sales tax holidays on other items, such as clothing, footwear, or back-to-school supplies. They include:
Connecticut, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.
