2022 sales tax holidays
by April 7, 2022
Every year, a number of states participate in sales tax holidays. These holidays are designed to spur consumer sales online and in brick-and-mortar locations by providing the incentive of tax free purchasing for a specific amount of time. They are also designed to provide the customer an economic reprieve on necessities like emergency preparedness supplies during hurricane season or back to school shopping in the fall.
However, sales tax holidays vary in popularity. Some states have a set annual sales tax holiday. Other states are required by law to renew their sales tax holidays every year. Throughout the year we update this post as states add (or remove) sales tax holidays from the calendar as states make changes.
How should sellers handle sales tax holidays?
In most cases, online sellers should try their best to honor sales tax holidays. In some situations, sellers are required to honor these holidays. However, there are situations where states allow retailers or certain localities to opt-out of sales tax holidays. In this case, it’s the sellers decision whether or not you honor sales tax holidays.
Sales tax holidays and your e-commerce store
Run your own shopping cart or marketplace? The TaxJar API honors sales tax holidays. Just set your product codes and we’ll make sure you’re not charging sales tax on non-taxable products during sales tax holidays in 2022.
It’s important to keep in mind that sometimes states approve sales tax holidays mid-year. To receive the most up-to-date sales tax news, subscribe to our sales tax newsletter. Ready to automate sales tax? Get started with your free, 30-day TaxJar trial here.
US sales tax holidays in 2022
Find your state and see which items are sales tax exempt during the designated holiday:
Alabama Sales Tax Holidays 2022
February 25-27, 2022 – Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
- Covered items, $60 or less per item
• Batteries
• Cellular phone battery and charger
• Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two way radio, weatherband radio or NOAA weather radio
• Portable self-powered light source, including battery powered flashlights, lanterns, or emergency glow sticks
• Tarpaulin, Plastic sheeting, Plastic drop cloths, Other flexible, waterproof sheeting
• Ground anchor system, such as bungee cords or rope, or tiedown kit
• Duct tape
• Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings
• Non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container
• Non-electric can opener
• Artificial ice, Blue ice, Ice packs, Reusable ice
• Self-contained first aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Smoke detector
• Carbon monoxide detector
• Gas or Diesel fuel tank or container
- A single purchase with a sales price of $1000 or Less of Any portable generator and power cords – used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage.
July 15-17, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing with a sales price of $100.00 or less per article of clothing.
- Computers, software, and computer school supplies – The computer package will qualify for the exemption if the dollar amount of the sale is at or below $750.
- Noncommercial purchases of school supplies, school art supplies, and school instructional material, up to a sales price of $50 per item.
- Required textbooks on an official school book list with a sales price of more than $30 and less than fifty dollars $50.
- Noncommercial purchases of books with a sales price of not more than $30 per book.
- Covered items are exempt only if the individual item is priced at or below the established threshold for the exemption.
Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday 2022
August 6-7, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Any clothing less than $100 per item
- Clothing accessory or equipment less than $50 per item
- Electronic devices
- School supplies
Connecticut Sales Tax Holidays 2022
April 10-16, 2022 – Special Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing & footwear less than $100
August 21-27, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing & footwear less than $100
Florida Sales Tax Holidays 2022
May 14-August 14, 2022 – Children’s Books Sales Tax Exemption
- A children’s book for this purpose is “any fiction or nonfiction book primarily intended for children age 12 or younger, including any board book, picture book, beginning reader book, juvenile chapter book, middle grade book, or audiobook on CD or tape.” More FAQs on this exemption here.
May 28-June 10, 2022 – Disaster Preparedness 2022 Sales Tax Holiday
July 1-July 7, 2022 – Freedom Week
- During this sales tax holiday period, tax is not due on the retail sale of:
- Admissions to music events
- Sporting events,
- Cultural events
- Specified performances
- Movies
- Museums
- State parks
- Fitness facilities.
- Also exempt from sales tax during this holiday period are eligible boating and water activity supplies, camping supplies, fishing supplies, general outdoor supplies, residential pool supplies, and sporting equipment.
- More information on this holiday can be found here.
July 1, 2022 -June 30, 2023 – Diapers and Clothing Sales Tax Exemption
- Children’s diapers and baby and toddler clothing, apparel, and shoes
The sales tax exemption does not apply to:
- Alterations to any eligible items
- Clothing, apparel, or shoes primarily intended for children over the age of 5 years
- Rentals of any eligible items
- Watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, or handkerchiefs
July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 – Energy Star Appliances Sales Tax Holidays
- New Energy Star appliances for noncommercial use
- The rental of eligible new ENERGY STAR appliances does not qualify for the exemption.
- More information on qualifying purchases here.
July 1, 2022-June 30, 2024 – Home Hardening Sales Tax Holiday
- Impact-resistant doors, impact-resistant garage doors, and impact- resistant windows. More information here.
July 25, 2022-August 7, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories with a sales price of $100 or less per item*
- Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item,
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less*
- Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use
- More information can be found here.
September 3-9, 2022 – Tool Time Sales Tax Exemption
- Find a list of eligible items here.
- This sales tax holiday is not supported by TaxJar at this time.
October 1-31, 2022 – Motor Fuel Sales Tax Holiday
- Florida has not released guidance yet for this holiday, and we will update when information is shared.
- This sales tax holiday is not supported by TaxJar at this time.
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Learn moreIllinois Sales Tax Holidays 2022
July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 – Grocery Tax Suspension
- Suspends the state’s 1% rate of sales and use tax on retail sales of groceries. Read the full bulletin here.
August 5-14, 2022 – State Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing items priced less than $125 per item
- Footwear priced less than $125 per item
- School supplies
- Find a full list of qualifying items here.
Iowa Sales Tax Holiday 2022
August 5-6, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- No sales tax, including local option sales tax, will be collected on sales of
- an article of clothing or footwear having a selling price less than $100.
- The exemption does not apply in any way to the price of an item selling for $100 or more
- The exemption applies to each article priced under $100 regardless of how many items are sold on the same invoice to a customer.
Maryland Sales Tax Holidays 2022
February 19-21, 2022 – Green Sales Tax Holiday
- The following Energy Star products are tax free during the holiday:
- Air conditioners
- Washers and dryers
- Furnaces
- Heat pumps
- Boilers
- Solar water heaters (tax-exempt at all times now)
- Standard size refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Programmable thermostats
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs
August 14-20, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Apparel and footwear $100 or less, per item
- The first $40 of a backpack or bookbag purchase is tax-free
- Accessory items, except for backpacks, are not included
Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday 2022
August 13-14, 2022 – Sales Tax Holiday
- Any purchase of a single personal item costing $2,500 or less, with noted exemptions.
- The following do not qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption:
- Meals
- Motor vehicles
- Motorboats
- Telecommunications services
- Gas
- Steam
- Electricity
- Tobacco products
- Marijuana or marijuana products
- Alcoholic beverages, and
- Any single item whose price is more than $2,500.
Mississippi Sales Tax Holidays 2022
July 29-30, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing & footwear less than $100
- Certain school supplies less than $100
August 26-28 – Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday
- Sale of firearms, ammunition and certain hunting supplies.
- Hunting Supplies are defined as: archery equipment, firearm and archery cases, firearm and archery accessories, hearing protection, holsters, belts and slings.
Missouri Sales Tax Holidays 2022
April 19-25, 2022 – Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday
The following energy star certified appliances qualify for the holiday, up to $1,500 per appliance.
- Clothes washers
- Clothes dryers
- Water heaters
- Trash compactors
- Dishwashers
- Conventional ovens
- Ranges
- Stoves
- Air conditioners
- Furnaces
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Heat Pumps
August 5-7, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Any article of clothing having a taxable value of $100 or less
- School supplies that do not exceed $50 per purchase
- Computer software that has a taxable value of $350 or less
- Personal computers that do not exceed $1,500
- Computer peripheral devices that do not to exceed $1,500
- Graphing Calculators that do not to exceed $150
Nevada Sales Tax Holiday 2022
October 28-20, 2022 – Nevada Day
- This sales tax holiday is different from most in that it applies only to qualifying members of the Nevada National Guard and their qualified dependents. Anyone interested in taking advantage of the temporary sales and use tax exemption must apply for it each year through their Commanding Officer no later than 30 days before Nevada Day. The Nevada Department of Taxation will issue a letter of exemption to eligible applicants. Retailers that make an exempt sale to qualifying National Guard members or their dependents must obtain and retain a copy of the consumer’s letter of exemption. See Senate Bill 440 (2021) and the department’s guidance from 2021 for additional details.
New Jersey Sales Tax Holiday 2022
There is a proposed bill that would create a back to school sales tax holiday if passed. We’ll update this post with new information as it is released.
New Mexico Sales Tax Holidays 2022
August 5-7, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing or shoes priced at less than $100 per unit ($99.99 or less)
- The price limit for desktop, laptop, tablets or notebook computers is $1,000, and for related computer hardware it is $500.
- School supplies for use in standard, general-education classrooms must be under $30 per unit ($29.99)
November 26, 2022 – Small Business Saturday
- The sale of the following types of tangible personal property as long as the property is less than $500
- An article of clothing or footwear
- Accessories, including jewelry, handbags, book bags, backpacks, luggage, wallets, watches and similar items worn or carried on or about the human body
- Sporting goods and camping equipment
- Tools used for home improvement, gardening
- Books, journals, paper, writing instruments, art supplies
- Cosmetics and personal grooming items
- Musical instruments
- Cookware and small home appliances for residential use
- Bedding, towels and bath accessories
- Furniture
- A toy or game that is a physical item
- A video game or video game console and any associated accessories for the video game console
- Home electronics such as computers, phones, tablets, stereo equipment and related electronics accessories
Ohio Sales Tax Holiday 2022
August 5-7, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing priced at $75 per item or less
- School supplies priced at $20 per item or less
- School instructional material priced at $20 per item or less
Oklahoma Sales Tax Holiday 2022
August 5-7, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing & footwear costing less than $100 ($99.99) per article of clothing or pair of footwear.
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Holiday 2022
July 2022, exact dates to be determined
- School uniforms, school supplies, footwear that complement one or more parts of the uniform
- This sales tax holiday is not supported by TaxJar at this time.
South Carolina Sales Tax Holiday 2022
August 5-7, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing and accessories
- Footwear
- School supplies used for school assignments
- Computers, software, and printers
- Certain bed and bath supplies
Tennessee Sales Tax Holidays 2022
July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 – Gun Safety and Gun Safety Devices
- Retail sales of gun safes and gun safety devices are exempt from sales and use tax
July 29-31, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- General apparel that costs $100 or less per item, such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses, etc.
- School and art supplies with a purchase price of $100 or less per item, such as binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, and rulers, and art supplies such as glazes, clay, paints, drawing pads, and artist paint brushes
- Computers for personal use with a purchase price of $1,500 or less
- Laptop computers, if priced at $1,500 or less, also qualify as well as tablet computers
August 1-31, 2022 – Sales Tax Holiday for Food and Food Ingredients
- During this period, food and food ingredients may be purchased tax free. Food and food ingredients purchased from a micro market or vending machine remain subject to sales tax.
Texas Sales Tax Holidays 2022
May 28-30, 2022 – Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday
- You can buy, rent or lease only the following ENERGY STAR®-labeled items tax free:
- Air conditioners (with a sales price of $6,000 or less)
- Refrigerators (with a sales price of $2,000 or less)
- Ceiling fans
- Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
- Clothes washers
- Dishwashers
- Dehumidifiers
May 28-30, 2022 – Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday
- During the holiday period, you can buy any product tax free that displays a WaterSense® label or logo. These items can be bought for either personal or business purposes.
- Examples of items that qualify for the exemption include
- A soaker or drip-irrigation hose
- A moisture control for a sprinkler or irrigation system
- Mulch
- A rain barrel or an alternative rain and moisture collection system
- A permeable ground cover surface that allows water to reach underground basins, aquifers or water collection points
- Plants, trees and grasses
- Water-saving surfactants
- Soil and compost
April 23-25, 2022 – Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday
- These emergency preparation supplies qualify for tax exemption if purchased for a sales price:
- Less than $3000
- Portable generators
- Less than $300
- Emergency ladders
- Hurricane shutters
- Less than $75
- Axes
- Batteries, single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
- Can openers – nonelectric
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Coolers and ice chests for food storage – nonelectric
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kits
- Fuel containers
- Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
- Hatchets
- Ice products – reusable and artificial
- Light sources – portable self-powered (including battery operated)
- Examples of items include: candles, flashlights and lanterns
- Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
- Radios – portable self-powered (including battery operated) – includes two-way and weather band radios
- Smoke detectors
- Tarps and other plastic sheeting
- Less than $3000
August 5-7, 2022 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
- Clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (sold for less than $100)
Virginia Sales Tax Holiday 2022
August 5-7, 2022 – Sales Tax Holiday
- School supplies, clothing, and footwear
- Qualified school supplies – $20 or less per item
- Qualified clothing and footwear – $100 or less per item
- Hurricane and emergency preparedness products
- Portable generators – $1,000 or less per item
- Gas-powered chainsaws – $350 or less per item
- Chainsaw accessories – $60 or less per item
- Other specified hurricane preparedness items – $60 or less per item
- Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products
- Qualifying Energy Star™ or WaterSense™ products purchased for noncommercial home or personal use – $2,500 or less per item
West Virginia Sales Tax Holiday 2022
August 5-8, 2022 – Sales Tax Holiday
- Certain clothing with a purchase price of $125 or less
- Certain school supplies with a purchase price of $50 or less
- Certain school instruction material with a purchase price of $20 or less
- Certain laptop and tablet computers with a purchase price of $500 or less; and
- Certain sports equipment with a purchase price of $150 or less.
- Items purchased for use in a trade or business are not exempt under the sales tax holiday.
How should sellers handle sales tax holidays?
In most cases, online sellers should try their best to honor sales tax holidays. In some situations, sellers are required to honor these holidays. There are situations where states allow retailers or certain localities to opt-out of sales tax holidays. In this case, it’s the sellers decision whether or not you honor sales tax holidays.
Sales tax holidays and your e-commerce store
Run your own shopping cart or marketplace? The TaxJar API honors sales tax holidays. Just set your product codes and we’ll make sure you’re not charging sales tax on non-taxable products during sales tax holidays in 2022. Ready to automate sales tax? Get started with your free, 30-day TaxJar trial here.
