Most sales-tax holidays land in the summer, though the exact timing and what's exempt varies a lot by state — some run one weekend, others stretch into a full month. The categories below cover what's most commonly exempt, whatever's actually on your list.
Every pick here is checked against published state tax guidance before it makes the list, so you know roughly what's exempt and when to shop it. No rush, just really good timing.
Nearly every participating state exempts everyday clothing and footwear up to some per-item price cap, which makes this the safest category to stock up on regardless of which state's holiday you're shopping.
popular picks: sneakers, jeans, lightweight jackets, everyday t-shirts
Not every state's holiday covers electronics, and the ones that do usually cap the exempt price — so this is the category most worth double-checking against your specific state's rules before you assume a laptop qualifies.
popular picks: everyday laptops, basic tablets, wireless earbuds, home printers
Pens, notebooks, binders, and backpacks are typically grouped under one exemption with their own price cap, separate from the clothing cap — worth restocking whether or not anyone in the house is actually heading back to school.
popular picks: backpacks, notebooks, binders, pens and highlighters
See our full backpack roundup →A few states extend the exemption to general sporting goods and outdoor equipment, while most don't — this is the category where it pays most to check your specific state's list rather than assume.
popular picks: sneakers and cleats, helmets, camping gear, swimwear
A handful of states run a distinct energy- or water-efficiency tax holiday, sometimes the same weekend as the general one and sometimes on its own — worth checking if a larger appliance purchase is already on the calendar.
popular picks: Energy Star refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters, ceiling fans
Exemptions and price caps vary by state, so it's worth checking your own state's specific list before assuming a category qualifies. Buying online usually still counts as long as the order is placed and paid for during the window, even if delivery comes later — but check your retailer's tax settings to be sure it's applying the exemption correctly.
"A tax holiday won't make a bad purchase good. It'll just make it a little cheaper."
shopping sloth