16 States Are Running Tax-Free Shopping Days to Cut Back-to-School Bills
With per-student costs topping $800, more than a dozen states are giving shoppers a break from sales tax this season.
Back-to-school shopping just got a little less brutal. Sixteen states are rolling out tax-free shopping windows this season, and if you're a parent staring down an $800-plus supply list, you need to know exactly when your state's holiday falls.
Inflation has pushed the average per-student back-to-school tab north of $800, according to MarketWatch. That's not chump change. A sales tax exemption on clothing, electronics, and school supplies can realistically save a family anywhere from $40 to $100 depending on the state rate and how much you spend — real money you'd otherwise hand straight to the government.
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The play here is simple: stack your purchases. Don't trickle-buy notebooks and backpacks throughout July. Wait for your state's designated weekend, load up the cart, and hit checkout. Combine tax-free days with retailer-specific back-to-school sales and you're compounding your savings in a way that actually moves the needle on a tight household budget.
Not every state is participating, so don't assume yours is on the list. Check your state's department of revenue before you plan your run. Missing the window by even one day means you're paying full freight while your neighbor across the state line isn't. Timing is everything, and this is a free edge sitting right in front of you.
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