Key takeaways:

• Close to two dozen states have sales tax holidays scheduled in 2026.
• While some states are adding new sales tax holidays, others are eliminating them or offering more opt-outs due to local budget shortfalls
• New sales tax holidays are focused on necessities, including school supplies, as families struggle to cope with inflation
• Multiple states are adding tax holidays to promote energy efficiency and emergency preparedness in light of concerns about climate change and extreme weather events
• Some states are adding sales tax holidays for political reasons, including Second Amendment sales tax holidays.

Sales tax holidays: what’s new in 2026

The rules for sales tax holidays are changing in 2026.

Some states, including New Jersey and Louisiana, have eliminated sales tax holidays in recent years. Often, this is done to address local budget shortfalls.

Other states, including Virginia, Florida, and Ohio, are expanding or reinstating their sales tax holidays for essentials like school supplies to help families cope with continued high levels of inflation.

A growing number of extreme weather events have also prompted states like Alabama and Maryland to add tax holidays for emergency preparedness materials or to promote energy efficiency, while some states, including Florida and Louisiana, have opted to promote a political stance through the tax code by featuring Second Amendment sales tax holidays.

Sellers must be aware of these changing trends so they can ensure full compliance with changing sales tax rules. This is especially important for multi-state sellers who need to remain aware of sales tax holidays across multiple locations.

Sales tax holidays 2026 at a glance

Note: Several states have not yet released their official 2026 sales tax holiday dates. Sales tax holiday schedules are typically published closer to the event dates, often in the spring or early summer of the same year. We’ll update this chart as announcements are made.

2026 sales tax holidays by state

Here is a list of states with sales tax holidays in 2026.

Alabama

Severe Weather Preparedness Holiday

• Dates: Feb 27, 2026 – March 1, 2026.
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Portable generators ≤ $1,000
  • Supplies, including batteries, flashlights, and coolers ≤ $60
  • Price caps will adjust every 5 years based on CPI.
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Opt-in
• Additional guidance: Starting October 1, 2025, local governments must adopt ordinances at least 90 days in advance to participate.

Source: Alabama Department of Revenue

Back-to-School Holiday

• Dates: July 17, 2026 – July 19, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Books ≤ $30
  • Clothing ≤ $156 per item
  • School supplies ≤ $60
  • Computers, software, and school computer supplies ≤ $1,173
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Opt-in

Source: Alabama Department of Revenue

Arkansas

Annual Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: Aug 1, 2026 – August 2, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing < $100
  • Accessories < $50
  • School supplies and electronics (no price cap)
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Applies to in-person and online transactions

Source: Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday FAQs

Connecticut

Sales Tax-Free Week

• Dates: TBA
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing and footwear < $100 per item
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Not applicable
• Additional guidance:
  • Certain items, including athletic gear and jewelry, are excluded.
  • Items, including online purchases, are exempt provided the item is paid for in full during the holiday dates
  • Coupon-discounted purchases that bring prices under $100 qualify

Source: Connecticut DRS – 2025 Sales Tax Free Week

Florida

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: August 1–31, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing, footwear, wallets, bags ≤ $100
  • School supplies ≤ $50
  • Learning aids and puzzles ≤ $30
  • Computers and accessories ≤ $1,500
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Waived unless otherwise specified
• Additional guidance:
  • Exemptions are not valid at theme parks, entertainment complexes, hotels, or airports.
  • Remote sellers must ensure proper configuration of product codes and checkout logic to apply exemptions.

Source: Department of Revenue

Disaster Preparedness

• Dates: Year-round after August 1, 2025
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Batteries
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Insect repellent
  • Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
  • Portable gas or diesel cans with a capacity of five gallons or less
  • Portable generators
  • Smoke detection devices and carbon monoxide alarms
  • Sunscreen
  • Waterproof tarpaulins of 1,000 square feet or less
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance:
  • Exemptions not valid at theme parks, entertainment complexes, hotels, or airports.
  • Remote sellers must ensure proper configuration of product codes and checkout logic to apply exemptions

Source: State of Florida

Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: September 8–December 31, 2025
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Firearms, bows, crossbows, accessories
  • Ammunition
  • Camping supplies including tents ≤ $200 and lanterns ≤ $30
  • Fishing gear, including tackle ≤ $5–$10, rods ≤ $75–$150, and boxes ≤ $30
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Commercial-use items are excluded.

Iowa

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: August 7-8, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing and footwear < $100
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Applies to online and in-person orders placed and paid during the window.

Source: Iowa Department of Revenue

Louisiana

Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: Tentatively September 4-6, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Ammunition
  • Firearms
  • Hunting supplies
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Applies
  • Local sales tax: Varies

Source: Louisiana State Legislature

Maryland

Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: TBA
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Energy Star appliances
  • Solar water heaters
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Not applicable
• Additional guidance: Residential use only.

Source: Maryland Comptroller

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: TBA
  Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing and footwear ≤ $100
  • Backpacks/bookbags: First $40 tax-free
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Not applicable
• Additional guidance: Applies to online and in-store purchases.

Source: Maryland Comptroller

Massachusetts

Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: TBA
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Tangible personal property ≤ $2,500 per item
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Not applicable
• Additional guidance: Meals, cars, boats, tobacco, marijuana, and telecom services are excluded.

Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue

Mississippi

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: TBA
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing and footwear < $100
  • School supplies < $100
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Municipalities may opt out
• Additional guidance: Retailers must check whether local taxes are waived

Source: Mississippi Department of Revenue

Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: TBA
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Firearms, ammunition, hunting supplies
  • Safety devices (excluding safes)
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Wide eligibility; sellers must verify item classifications.

Source: Mississippi Department of Revenue

Missouri

Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: April 19–25, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Energy Star appliances ≤ $1,500
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: First $1,500 exempt for higher-priced items.

Source: Missouri Department of Revenue

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: August 7-9, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing ≤ $100
  • School supplies ≤ $50
  • Graphing calculators ≤ $150
  • Computers/peripherals ≤ $1,500
  • Computer software ≤ $350
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Online orders qualify when placed and paid during the window

Source: Missouri Department of Revenue

Nevada

Nevada Day Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: October 30-November 1, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Refund-eligible purchases by Nevada National Guard members or qualifying relatives
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Collected at sale
  • Local sales tax: Collected at sale
• Additional guidance: Buyers must apply for a refund within 30 days.

Source: Nevada Department of Taxation – Nevada Day Info

New Mexico

Back-to-School Gross Receipts Tax Holiday

• Dates: TBA
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing, footwear, accessories < $100
  • Bookbags/backpacks/maps/globes < $100
  • School supplies < $30
  • Calculators < $200
  • Computers < $1,000
  • Computer accessories < $500
• Participation requirements
  • GRT system: Retailers may opt in
• Additional guidance: Retailers must choose to participate and adjust systems.

Source: New Mexico Taxation & Revenue

Ohio

Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: TBA
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Most tangible personal property < $500
  • Includes business purchases
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: One of the broadest holidays; Systems must handle volume

Source: Ohio.gov

Oklahoma

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: August 7-9, 2026
  Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing and footwear < $100
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Accessories, protective gear, and rentals are excluded.

Source: Oklahoma Tax Commission

Puerto Rico

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holidays

• Dates: TBA
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • School uniforms and footwear
  • School supplies
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Municipal tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: A separate hurricane-prep holiday is expected but not yet announced.

Source: Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda)

South Carolina

Sales Tax Holiday Weekend

• Dates: TBA
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing and footwear
  • School supplies
  • Computers, printers, software, select electronics
  • Bed and bath items
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: No price caps; business-use items excluded

Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue

Tennessee

Sales Tax Holiday Weekend

• Dates: July 24-26, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing ≤ $100
  • School supplies ≤ $100
  • Computers/laptops/tablets ≤ $1,500
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Business-use items do not qualify.

Source: Department of Revenue

Texas

Emergency Prep Holiday

• Dates: April 25-27, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Portable generators < $3,000
  • Hurricane shutters, ladders < $300
  • Emergency supplies < $75
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Contractors may buy eligible items tax-free to keep in inventory.

Source: Texas Comptroller

Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: May 23-25, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Energy Star ACs < $6,000
  • Refrigerators < $2,000
  • Other qualifying items (no cap)
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Applies to consumers and service providers.

Source: Texas Comptroller

Water-Efficient Products Holiday

• Dates: May 23-25, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • WaterSense products (no cap)
  • Other residential-use water-saving items
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Contractors and landscapers may buy tax-free for resale.

Source: Texas Comptroller

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: August 7-9, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing and footwear < $100
  • School supplies and backpacks < $100
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Remote/online sellers must comply if they have nexus.

Source: Texas Comptroller

Virginia

Combined Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: August 7-9, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • School supplies ≤ $20
  • Clothing and footwear ≤ $10
  • Hurricane prep supplies
    • Generators ≤ $1,000
    • Chain saws ≤ $350
    • Other items ≤ $60
  • Energy Star/WaterSense products ≤ $2,500
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Reinstated for 2025; scheduled to recur annually through 2030.

Source: Virginia Tax

West Virginia

Sales Tax Holiday

• Dates: August 7-9, 2026
• Exemptions and price caps:
  • Clothing and footwear ≤ $125
  • School instructional materials ≤ $20
  • School supplies ≤ $50
  • Sports equipment ≤ $150
  • Computers/laptops/tablets ≤ $500
• Participation requirements:
  • State sales tax: Mandatory
  • Local sales tax: Mandatory
• Additional guidance: Business-use items not exempt

Source: West Virginia Sales Tax Division

States with no sales tax holidays in 2026

• Alaska (local-level sales tax holidays only)
• Arizona (local-level sales tax holidays only)
• California
• Colorado
• Delaware (no state sales tax)
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Montana (no state sales tax)
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire (no state sales tax)
• New Jersey (repealed annual sales tax holiday in June 2024)
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oregon (no state sales tax)
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Seller checklist: How to prepare for 2026 sales tax holidays

Under traditional sales tax rules, companies were obligated to collect sales tax only if they had physical nexus, so sellers could easily monitor local holidays in a small number of states where they had a physical presence. After Wayfair v. South Dakota opened the door to economic nexus in 2018, states now must monitor sales tax holidays in potentially dozens of states.

To make sure your company complies with these rules, you must:

• Monitor sales to determine when you trigger economic nexus in different jurisdictions: This is based on the volume of sales or the number of transactions.
• Monitor state laws to track when holidays are occurring.
• Identify local opt-out or opt-in rules to determine if you must participate in the sales tax holiday.
• Research product qualifications to understand which of your products are exempt from tax during the sales tax holiday.
• Communicate policies and updates across teams. Proper communication will ensure seamless transitions when items become temporarily non-taxable.
• Update tax settings during the tax holiday and make adjustments once the tax-free period is over.
• Ensure products are mapped and categorized correctly so you charge tax only on items you’re allowed to during temporary tax-exempt periods.

How TaxCloud makes compliance with sales tax holidays simple

Complying with sales tax rules across multiple jurisdictions is always a challenge, and that challenge is compounded when states institute special rules that apply only a few days a year. Fortunately, with help from TaxCloud, sales tax holidays don’t have to cause you extra headaches.

TaxCloud will take care of key tasks related to these holidays for you by:

• Monitoring nexus thresholds to alert you when you must register, so you don’t risk audits and penalties because you don’t realize you’ve hit a state’s transaction or volume threshold
• Registering your business for sales tax collection when required, and filing and remitting sales tax payments so you’re always in full compliance with state laws
• Automatically calculating sales tax and adjusting holiday exemptions in real time so you don’t charge tax during the holiday periods
• Providing full coverage for sales tax compliance across 13,000 jurisdictions, so you never miss a sales tax holiday that applies to your business

With 2026 sales tax holidays fast approaching, get help from TaxCloud now so you’re ready to comply with changing tax rules across dozens of locations where you do business.

Book a walkthrough to see how TaxCloud can help.

FAQ about sales tax holidays

How does a sales tax holiday work?

During a sales tax holiday, states exempt certain items from state and sometimes local sales taxes. Businesses must be aware of these holidays and make adjustments to their tax policies during the holiday period.

Do all states have a tax-free weekend?

No. A minority of states offer sales tax holidays during which certain items are exempt from state and local sales tax.  These holidays may last for a weekend, but sometimes last longer, and sometimes last for a shorter duration. Not all states offer tax-free periods.

What is a sales tax holiday?

A sales tax holiday is a designated period of time during which states exempt certain items from sales tax that are normally taxable items. States often authorize sales tax holidays to help people afford necessities such as school clothing or emergency preparation materials.