Sales tax holidays 2021: Shop tax-free for clothes, school supplies in 11 states this weekend

Shoppers in 11 states can pick up clothes and school supplies tax-free this weekend.

Back-to-school sales tax holidays kick off Friday in eight states – Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia – joining Florida, whose 10-day tax holiday started July 31. Arkansas’ two-tax holiday starts Saturday, and Maryland's tax-free week begins Sunday.

The tax savings are open to all even those without children, but criteria vary by state. Online shopping also is tax-free during the holidays.

Connecticut and Massachusetts will offer tax breaks later in August. Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, West Virginia already held tax holidays this summer.

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The back-to-school shopping season, the second-biggest period for retailers, behind the holidays, usually kicks off in mid-July and peaks in mid-August. This year, consumers are starting earlier than in past years amid possible shortages of core items like backpacks and shoes.

In some states, tax breaks are offered year-round. According to the Tax Foundation, Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon don't have a sales tax.

Most clothing also is tax-free year-round in some states, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

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Tax-free shopping 2021

Not every town and county will participate in the sales tax holidays, nor will every item be tax-free. Online shopping also is exempt from tax during the days. For some states, local taxes still apply.

Arkansas sales tax holiday

Dates: Aug. 7-8

What’s tax-free:

• Clothing and footwear: Less than $100.

• Clothing accessories or equipment: Less than $50.

• Select school supplies, school art supplies and instructional materials: No limit.

• Electronic items such as cell phones, laptops and tablets will qualify as sales tax-exempt for the first time: No limit.

Full list: dfa.arkansas.gov

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Florida tax free holiday

Dates: July 31-Aug. 9

What's tax-free:

• Clothing, footwear and accessories: $60 or less.

• School supplies: $15 or less.

• Computers and accessories: $1,000 or less per item.

Full list: floridarevenue.com/backtoschool

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Iowa tax free weekend

Dates: Aug. 6-7

What’s tax-free: Clothing and footwear, less than $100.

Full list: tax.iowa.gov/iowas-annual-sales-tax-holiday

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Maryland tax free week

Dates: Aug. 8-14

What's tax-free:

• Clothing and footwear: $100 or less.

• Backpacks: The first $40 is tax-exempt.

Full list: marylandtaxes.gov

Missouri back to school sales tax holiday

Dates: Aug. 6-8

What’s tax-free:

• Clothing: Up to $100.

• School supplies: Not to exceed $50 per purchase.

• Personal computers: Up to $1,500.

• Computer software: Up to $350.

• Graphing calculators: Up to $150.

Full list: dor.mo.gov

New Mexico tax free holiday

Dates: Aug. 6-8

What’s tax-free:

• Clothing and footwear: Less than $100.

• Computers: Under $1,000.

• Computer-related items: Under $500.

• School supplies: Less than $30.

Full list: tax.newmexico.gov

Ohio tax free weekend

Dates: Aug. 6-8

What’s tax-free:

• Clothing: $75 or less.

• School supplies and instructional materials: $20 or less.

Full list: tax.ohio.gov

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Oklahoma tax free weekend

Dates: Aug. 6-8

What’s tax-free: Clothing and footwear, less than $100.

Full list: oklahoma.gov

South Carolina tax free holiday

Dates: Aug. 6-8

What’s tax-free:

• Clothing: No limit, diapers also are included and athletic and uniforms for music and scouts are tax-exempt.

• School supplies: No limit, includes backpacks and art supplies for schools. Office supplies will still be taxed.

• Computers, computer parts and accessories, printers, ink: No limit but computers used in a business are still taxed.

• Books and musical instruments: Tax-free if “used for school assignments.”

• Bed and bath: No limit, includes bedding, pillows and towels.

Full list: dor.sc.gov/taxfreeweekend

Texas tax free weekend 2021

Dates: Aug. 6-8

What’s tax-free:

• Clothing and footwear: Less than $100.

• School supplies and backpacks: Less than $100.

Full list: comptroller.texas.gov

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Virginia tax free days

Dates: Aug. 6-8

What’s tax-free:

• Clothing and footwear: $100 or less.

• School supplies: $20 or less.

• Hurricane and emergency preparedness products: Portable generators up to $1,000; gas-powered chainsaws $350 or less; other specified hurricane preparedness items, $60 or less per item.

• Energy Star and WaterSense products: $2,500 or less per item.

Full list: tax.virginia.gov/virginia-sales-tax-holiday

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Upcoming sales tax holidays

Connecticut and Massachusetts start their tax holidays in mid-August.

Connecticut tax free week

Dates: Aug. 15-21

What’s tax-free: Clothing and footwear, less than $100.

Full list: portal.ct.gov/DRS

Massachusetts sales tax holiday

Dates: Aug. 14-15

What’s tax-free: Almost everything that costs up to $2,500. In Massachusetts, there is no sales tax on clothes less than $175 year-round.

More information: mass.gov

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tax free weekend: Florida, Texas, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia offer tax break