State sales tax holidays are on their way this summer of 2022 and beyond
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
19 states are holding sales tax holidays this summer, most focusing on back-to-school shopping. But some states are offering tax savings on other items and have multiple events planned, led by Florida with 9 tax holidays on the way for a wide variety of shoppers.
Florida's official nickname is the Sunshine State, but this year it qualifies for another title. It's king of the state sales tax holiday season.
Florida, along with 17 other states, is offering the usual sales tax holiday on clothing and school supplies, including computers. But the state also is giving its shoppers eight other tax holidays.
In addition to the school-related tax holiday, Florida's other upcoming tax-saving events waive sales tax collection on such things as certain admission tickets to entertainment events and venues; some workers' equipment; storm sturdy windows and doors; energy efficient appliances; baby and youngster's diapers; clothing for preschoolers; children's books (non-school related; it began on May 14); and a gas tax holiday.
That's an impressive array of sales tax suspensions, especially for a no-income-tax state that relies on sales tax revenue. In signing the omnibus tax relief measure into law earlier this year, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said the myriad tax holidays will save state consumers $658 million.
Year or more long Florida tax holidays: Also impressive is the length of some of Florida's tax holidays.
Sales tax holidays on Energy Star appliances, children's diapers, and baby and toddler clothing run through June 30, 2023.
The one for impact-resistant windows, doors, and garage doors is in effect through June 30, 2024.
Help for shoppers and lawmakers: While tax holidays ostensibly provide savings to consumers, most economists say the recouped consumer dollars are minimal.
But they do help the politicians who can tout their support of the holidays on the campaign trail.
That's one of the reasons that more states are holding multiple sales tax holidays each year.
Multiple tax holidays in multiple states: This past February, Alabama shoppers got tax breaks on severe weather supplies and Marylanders saw sales taxes waived on Energy Star appliances.
In April, Connecticut held a clothing tax holiday. That same month, Missouri waived sales tax on Energy Star appliances, and Texas provided its shoppers with tax relief for severe weather supplies.
The Lone Star State held a second sales tax holiday in May for energy-efficient appliances over the long Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Florida also held a sales tax holiday for hurricane and other disaster preparation supplies in late May-early June, bringing the state's tax holiday total this year to 10. Like I said, king of the sales tax holidays.
Still to come in addition to back-to-school no-tax events are tax-free days in Mississippi for purchases of firearms, ammunition, and hunting supplies; in Tennessee for grocery shoppers, as well as folks buying gun safes and other firearm safety devices; and a year-long suspension of grocery sales taxes in Illinois.
The table below lists, alphabetically by state, the rest of 2022's upcoming sales tax holidays. The information comes from the various state tax departments, as well as the Sales Tax Institute and Federation of Tax Administrators.
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2022 State Sales Taxes Holidays |
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State & Sales Tax Rate |
Holiday Days |
Tax-Free Products |
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Alabama 4% |
Clothing $100 or less |
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Arkansas 6.5% |
Clothing $100 or less |
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Connecticut 6.35% |
Clothing and footwear $100 or less |
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Florida 6% |
Children's Books |
Fiction or nonfiction books primarily intended for children ages 12 and younger, including board books, picture books, beginning reader books, juvenile chapter books, and middle grade books |
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Florida 6% |
Freedom Week |
Outdoor activities supplies (fishing, boating, camping); sports equipment; pool supplies |
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Florida 6% |
Children's Clothing Sales Tax Holiday |
Clothing and shoes for babies and toddlers, i.e., 5 years of age or younger |
|
Florida 6% |
Energy Star |
Washing machines, clothes dryers, water heaters costing $1,500 or less |
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Florida 6% |
Children's Diapers |
Single-use diapers, reusable diapers, and reusable diaper inserts |
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Florida 6% |
Windows & Doors |
Retail sales of impact-resistant windows, doors, and garage doors |
|
Florida 6% |
Back to School |
Clothing $100 or less |
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Florida 6% |
Skilled Worker Tools |
Work gloves $25 or less per pair; Duffle bags, hand tools, LED flashlights, protective coveralls, tote bags, safety glasses at $50 or less per item; Toolboxes $75 or less; Electrical voltage and testing equipment, shop lights, tool belts $100 or less; Industry code books, textbooks $125 or less; Certain plumbing supplies, equipment $150 or less; Work boots $175 or less; Power tools, toolboxes for vehicles $300 or less |
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Florida fuel tax rates |
Gas Tax Holiday |
Reduces the tax on motor fuel by 25.3 cents per gallon |
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Illinois 1% grocery tax |
Grocery Tax Suspension |
Illinois' 1% sales tax on groceries will be 0% through the holiday period. This applies to food that is to be eaten off premises from where it is sold (other than alcoholic beverages, food consisting of or infused with adult use cannabis, soft drinks, candy, and food that has been prepared for immediate consumption). |
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Illinois 6.25% |
The state's portion of sales tax during the holiday is reduced by 5%, dropping to 1.25% on clothing and footwear selling for less than $125 per item. Certain student school supplies also face the reduced tax; there's no price cap on eligible items. |
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Iowa 6% |
Clothing and footwear priced at less than $100 |
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Maryland 6% |
Clothing and footwear $100 or less |
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Massachusetts 6.25% |
Almost every personal item |
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Mississippi 7% |
Clothing and footwear $100 or less |
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Mississippi 7% |
During the Second Amendment Weekend tax holiday, Mississippi's sales tax is not due on the sale of firearms, ammunition, and |
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Missouri 4.225% |
Friday, Aug. 5 |
Clothing $100 or less |
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New Jersey 6.625% |
Computers less than $3,000 |
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Friday, Aug. 5 |
Clothing or shoes $100 or less |
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Ohio 5.75% |
Friday, Aug. 5 |
Clothing $75 or less |
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Oklahoma 4.5% |
Friday, Aug. 5 |
Clothing, footwear $100 or less |
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South Carolina 6% |
Friday, Aug. 5 |
No purchase price limit |
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Tennessee 7% |
Tennessee's sales tax is suspended for one year on all retail sales of gun safes and gun safety devices. |
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Tennessee 7% |
Friday, July 29 |
Clothing $100 or less |
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Tennessee 4% food tax |
Monday, Aug. 1 |
A month-long suspension of the state's usual tax on grocery sales |
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Texas 6.25% |
Friday, Aug. 5 |
Clothing, footwear, backpacks |
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Virginia 5.3% |
Friday, Aug. 5 |
Clothing & footwear $100 or less |
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West Virginia 6% |
Friday, Aug. 5 |
Clothing, footwear $125 or less |
You also might find these items of interest:
- Tax holidays are popular, but bad tax policy
- 6 shopping tips to maximize sales tax holiday savings
- City and other local taxes add to overall sales tax takes
- 5 sales-tax-free states are perfect places to shop year-round
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