If you've got kids heading back to school, mark your calendar. Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday runs August 7–9 this year, and a little planning now can mean real savings on the things you're already buying.
What's Tax Exempt This Year?
- Clothing priced at $75 or less per item: shoes, sneakers, uniforms, coats, hats, socks, and most everyday wearable apparel.
- School supplies priced at $20 or less per item: notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, folders, binders, lunch boxes, crayons, and more.
- School instructional materials priced at $20 or less per item: textbooks, workbooks, reference books, reference maps, etc.
What's NOT Tax Exempt?
- Sports or recreational equipment
- Items purchased for use in a trade or business
- Clothing accessories (belt buckles, costume masks, patches, etc.)
- Sewing supplies and materials
- Motor vehicles, boats, alcohol, tobacco, vape products, and items with marijuana
- Taxable services and restaurant food
- Items priced above the thresholds listed above
Please note: there is no expanded "items $500 and under" holiday in 2026. That broader version from recent years has been eliminated.
Smart Shopping Tips
Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday is August 7-9 -- and if you've got kids heading back to school, it's worth planning your shopping around it. Clothing, school supplies, and instructional materials all qualify for a tax exemption, but the rules might surprise you. Here's what you need to know before you head to the store.
Ohio's Sales Tax Holiday is August 7-9 -- and if you've got kids heading back to school, it's worth planning your shopping around it. Clothing, school supplies, and instructional materials all qualify for a tax exemption, but the rules might surprise you. Here's what you need to know before you head to the store.
The price of each individual item is what matters. Exemptions apply item by item, not to your total. Two shirts at $70 each? Both exempt. One shirt at $80? Taxable, no matter what else is in your cart.
Discounts and store loyalty cards count. If a store sale or loyalty card brings an item below the threshold, it qualifies. Manufacturer's coupons and post-sale rebates do not lower the price for tax purposes.
Online shopping counts too. Qualifying items purchased online, by phone, or by email are exempt as long as the order is placed and paid for during the holiday window. Items ordered before August 7 or paid for after August 9 do not qualify.
If you’d like more information about the 2026 sales tax holiday, please consult this post from the Ohio Department of Taxation.