States vary widely across the United States in tax-free shopping offerings known as sales tax holidays. The temporary exemptions can lead to significant savings on back-to-school essentials, emergency preparedness items, energy-efficient appliances, and more. A detailed state-by-state list of which jurisdictions will have sales tax holidays in 2025, which will not, and a timeline of the important dates, including items exempted, follows.
States giving sales tax holidays in 2025
Some twenty-three states (plus Puerto Rico) will have one or more tax-free periods in 2025. Most states here focus on back-to-school items, while others include disaster preparedness or energy-efficient products.
- Alabama
- Back to school: July 18-20; clothing item ≤ $100, computers ≤ $750, supplies ≤ $50, and books ≤ $30.
- Severe weather preparedness: Feb 21-23; portable generators ≤ $1,000 and supplies ≤ $60.
- Arkansas
- August 2-3; clothing/footwear ≤ $100, accessories ≤ $50, and school supplies (no cap).
- Connecticut
- August 16-22; clothing/footwear ≤ $300.
- Florida
- Back-to-school: August 1-31; learning aids ≤ $30, supplies ≤ $50, clothing ≤ $100, computers ≤ $1,500.
- Once-in-a-lifetime-wilderness: September 8-December 31; specified outdoors gear (no cap).
- Iowa
- August 1-2; clothing/footwear ≤ $100.
- Maryland
- Back-to-school: August 9-15; clothing/footwear ≤ $100, backpacks ≤ $40.
- Energy star appliances: Feb 14-16; qualifying appliances (no cap specified).
- Massachusetts
- TBA sometime in August; all non-business tangible personal property ≤ $2,500.
- Mississippi
- Back-to-school: July 11-13; clothing/footwear/supplies ≤ $100.
- Second amendment (hunting supplies): August 29-31; specified firearms/ammunition/hunting gear (no cap).
- Missouri
- Back-to-school: August 1-3; clothing ≤ $100, supplies ≤ $50, computers/peripherals ≤ $1,500, software ≤ $350, graphing calculators ≤ $150.
- Nevada
- October 31-November 2; purchases by National Guard members or qualifying relatives (no cap).
- New Mexico
- July 25-27; clothing/footwear ≤ $100, computers ≤ $1,000, equipment ≤ $500, supplies ≤ $30.
- Ohio
- August 1-14; all tangible personal property ≤ $500 (some exceptions apply).
- Oklahoma
- August 1-3; clothing/footwear ≤ $100.
- Puerto Rico
- Back-to-school: January 10-11 & July 12-13; school uniform, footwear, supplies.
- Hurricane preparedness: May (dates TBA); generators ≤ $3,000, specified supplies.
- South Carolina
- August 1-3; clothing, accessories, footwear, supplies, computers, printers and software (no caps).
- Tennessee
- July 25-27; clothing ≤ $100, supplies ≤ $100, computers/tablets ≤ $1,500.
- Texas
- Back-to-school: August 8-10; clothing, backpacks, supplies ≤ $100.
- Energy star products: May 24-26; air conditioners ≤ $6,000, refrigerators ≤ $2,000, select lighting/appliances.
- Emergency preparation: April 26-28; generators ≤ $3,000, storm devices ≤ $300, preparedness items ≤ $75.
- Water-efficient products: May 24-26; qualifying irrigation/water-saving items (no cap).
- Virginia
- August 1-3; clothing ≤ $100, supplies ≤ $20, Energy Star/WaterSense products ≤ $2,500, hurricane supplies ≤ $60, generators ≤ $1,000.
- West Virginia
- August 1-4; clothing ≤ $125, computers/tablets ≤ $500, instruction materials ≤ $20, supplies ≤ $50, sports equipment ≤ $150.
States without sales tax holidays in 2025
Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia will not hold any general sales tax holiday in 2025. These jurisdictions either lack enabling legislation or have discontinued past programs:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Maximizing savings on tax-free day
Here is how to put a maximum squeeze on tax-free days:
- Categorize purchases: Move big purchases (laptops, appliances) to that state’s Energy Star or electronics holiday, while regular shopping (clothes, school supplies) for those back-to-school weekends.
- Carefully confirm price caps: Ensure that the pre-tax price of each item is below the state limit for exemption. Multiple items can be purchased as long as each item qualifies by itself.
- Look for online deals: The majority of states include online and catalog purchases; confirm that your vendor is participating and will apply the exemption at checkout.
- Review the exceptions for the State: Some states exclude “special” athletic or protective apparel, layaway sales, or business purchases. Full rules can be found on the official department of revenue site.
Sales tax holidays in 2025 represent a landmark opportunity for consumers to save big on necessities-from back-to-school shopping to disaster readiness and energy-efficient upgrades. With precise knowledge of the dates, acceptable items, and spending caps for states in your vicinity, you can get maximum benefits while spending several hundred dollars less. Do not forget the other important tips: look for bargains, understand the rules, and minimize your expenses.
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