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USA Today
10-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Back-to-school sales tax holidays in these states will save you money
The kids aren't ready to hear about going back to school, but sales tax holidays in many states can help parents save on their back-to-school shopping. That's particularly important this year as shoppers say they are more stressed about tariffs and economic uncertainty. In July and August, 17 states will have sales-tax holidays, when certain purchases made for school will be exempt from taxes. Most of the tax-free shopping days give a break on sales tax for items related to school like clothing, shoes, electronics and supplies. Two states, Ohio and Massachusetts, extend their sales-tax holiday to include more than back-to-school items. The first state with the sales-tax holiday is Mississippi, which will hold it's tax-free weekend from July 11 through July 13. Back-to-school shopping has already begun Early-bird back-to-school shopping has already begun. This year, 26% of back-to-school and college shoppers had already started browsing and buying items by early June, according to a study by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. That's up from 22% last year and 17% in 2019. Shoppers often say they like buying early to spread out their budget and to get early deals and promotions. But this year, three-quarters or 74% of those surveyed said they are shopping earlier this year because they are worried tariffs will cause prices to go up later this season. The sales-tax holidays help consumers save even more, Katherine Cullen, National Retail Federation vice president of industry and consumer insights, told USA TODAY. "Customers and retailers alike enjoy the benefits of sales tax holidays," she said. "These tax-free events can help drive customers to stores, and result in increased sales because customers may purchase additional items that they were not shopping for that day." Shoppers are worried about inflation and tariffs According to the NRF, the average K-12 shopper budgeted $875 on average last year, while those buying for a college student expected to spend $1,365. This year, 76% of shoppers are anticipating higher price tags for the things they need, the NRF survey said. A Back-to-School Survey by Deloitte estimates that spending for K-12 hopping will remain steady at $30.9 billion or approximately $570 per student. That is down $16 a student from last year. But while the overall spending figure remains steady, lower-income parents (those making $50,000 or less) said they plan to spend 10% more this year while middle-and-higher income families said they'd pull back and spend 7% to 9% less. In another study by Coresight Research, 68% of shoppers said inflation would limit how much they spend on back-to-school shopping while 73% of shoppers expect price increases and 64.9% expect product shortages. 'Back-to-school 2025 is shaped by measured optimism: consumers are willing to spend more, but economic pressures like inflation and tariffs are driving them to seek value more aggressively,' Madhav Pitaliya, an analyst for Coresight Research told USA TODAY. Does my state have a school supply sales tax holiday? Here is a list of participating states and what's tax free, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators plus reporting by USA TODAY. Rules and dates vary by state so check the state's website for the most updated information. In some instances, local taxes may also still apply. If a dollar amount is not listed, the state did not appear to indicate a spending limit on that item. A link to most states' details of their holiday are hyperlinked to the name of each state. Generally most purchases online also qualify for the sales-tax holiday, but check your state's requirements. Fives states year-round don't charge sales tax: Alaska, Montana, Delaware, Oregon and New Hampshire, according to the Tax Foundation. Some municipalities in Alaska do charge sales tax. Alabama July 18-20 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item Computers: $750 or less per item School supplies: $50 or less per item Books: $30 or less per item Arkansas Aug. 2-3 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item, clothing accessories: $50 or less per item School supplies Electronic devices used for school Connecticut Aug. 17-23 (Always the third Sunday in August to the following Saturday) What's tax-free: Clothing and footwear less than $100 Florida Florida expanded its back-to-school sales tax holiday to include the whole month of August. Aug. 1-31 What's tax-free: School supplies: $50 or less per item Clothing, footwear, accessories: $100 or less per item Computers and related accessories: $1,500 or less Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles: $30 or less Iowa Aug. 1-2 What's tax-free: Clothing or footwear: $100 or less per item Maryland Aug. 10-16 (Always the second week of August) What's tax-free: Clothing, footwear and accessories: $100 or less per item Backpacks: the first $40 of a backpack/bookbag purchase is tax-free. Massachusetts Aug 9-10 Eligible retail items bought for personal use costing $2,500 or less (not limited to school supplies). There are several exceptions when tax still applies, including: meals, motor vehicles and boats, gas and electricity, tobacco, marijuana or alcoholic beverages and any single item with a price more than $2,500. Mississippi July 11-13 What's tax-free: Clothing, and footwear: $100 or less per item School supplies: $100 or less per item Missouri Aug. 1-3 What's tax-free: Clothing: $100 or less per item School supplies: $50 or less per item Computers: $1,500 Computer software: $350 or less Computer peripheral devices: $1,500 Graphic calculators: $150 or less New Mexico July 25-27 What's tax-free: Clothing or shoes: $100 or less per item Desktop, laptop, tablets or notebook computers: $1,000 Related computer hardware: $500 per item School supplies: $30 per item New York New York does not have a sales tax holiday, but year-round in certain counties, including the county that covers New York City, have no sales tax for clothing and footwear worn by humans that is $110 or less. Ohio Aug. 1-14 What's tax-free: Ohio's sales-tax holiday is not limited to school-related supplies. The tax-free period includes anything that is considered tangible personal property that is $500 or less, except watercraft, anything with an outboard motor that must be titled, a motor vehicle, alcohol, tobacco, a vapor product or a product that contains marijuana. Dine-in meals, which are usually taxed, are also tax-free if they are less than $500. Oklahoma Aug. 1-3 What's tax-free: Clothing or footwear: $100 or less per item. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania does not have a sales-tax holiday, but year-round it does not charge sales tax for clothing and certain footwear. South Carolina Aug. 1-3 What's tax-free: Clothing, shoes and accessories School supplies Computers, printers, earbuds and headphones Certain bed and bath items Diapers Tennessee July 25-27 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item School supplies: $100 or less per item Computers, including laptops and tablets: $1,500 or less per item Texas Aug. 8-10 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item Backpacks: $100 or less per item School supplies: $100 or less per item Virginia Aug. 1-3 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item School supplies: $20 or less per item West Virginia Aug. 1-4 What's tax-free: Clothing: $125 or less per item Laptop or tablet computers: $500 or less per item School instruction material: $20 or less per item School supplies: $50 or less per item Sports equipment: $150 or less per item Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@ or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher and @ on Bluesky. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays, here.
Fibre2Fashion
30-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Back-to-School apparel spend holds strong despite economic strain: Pwc
Despite mounting economic pressures, American families are maintaining—and in many cases increasing—their spending on back-to-school clothing and shoes, according to PwC's 2025 Back-to-School Survey. Nearly three in four shoppers say they expect to spend the same or more compared to last year, with more than one-third anticipating an increase in their education-related purchases. Clothing and footwear remain a key priority for parents. Sixteen per cent of back-to-school shoppers plan to spend over $500 on these items, while 29 per cent expect to spend between $251–500, and 27 per cent between $101–250. Only 17 per cent expect to spend less than $50, showing that most families are prepared to invest in new apparel for the school year, Pwc said in its report. Despite economic pressures, American families are prioritising spending on back-to-school clothing and shoes, with many planning to spend the same or more than in 2024, according to PwC. While some are cutting back, essentials remain protected. Gen Z favours physical stores, and income influences shopping channels. Retailers managing supply and value well are set to benefit. Yet not all shoppers are spending freely. Among those cutting back, clothing is one of the top categories being reduced, with 40 per cent choosing to limit apparel purchases. Still, essential buying in this category appears relatively shielded compared to discretionary goods. As parents look to save, many are prioritising early shopping and discounts, with value-conscious habits such as reusing items also gaining traction. Income level plays a key role in shopping behaviour—households earning below $75,000 annually are more likely to shop in-store, while higher-income families show a greater preference for online shopping. Notably, Gen Z parents are showing a strong preference for brick-and-mortar experiences, defying assumptions about their digital-first nature. This renewed interest in physical retail could shape merchandising and in-store promotions as retailers target this influential demographic, the report noted. While tariffs and shipping disruptions from China have created inventory concerns, many retailers are expected to recover in time for peak season. Those who manage supply chains efficiently and communicate value effectively stand to gain in a market where consumers continue to invest in clothing and shoes, despite broader inflationary concerns, added the report. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
