By 1808Delaware
Ohio families preparing for the new school year will have a chance to stretch their budgets a little further this August.
Governor Mike DeWine is encouraging residents to take advantage of Ohio’s 2026 sales tax holiday, which will run from 12:00 AM on Friday, August 7 through 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 9. The three-day holiday is timed for the back-to-school shopping season, when many families are buying clothing, classroom supplies, and other school-related items before students return to class.
“Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday comes at a time of year when families are getting ready for back-to-school,” DeWine said. “The sales tax break is designed to provide meaningful savings for families as they purchase new school essentials for the upcoming year.”
What Qualifies
During the holiday, several common back-to-school purchases will be exempt from sales tax, as long as they fall within the state’s price limits.
- Qualifying items include:
- Clothing priced at $75 or less per item
- School supplies priced at $20 or less per item
- School instructional materials priced at $20 or less per item
The exemption applies item by item, meaning the price limit is based on each individual purchase, not the total transaction.
Planning Ahead
Tax Commissioner Patricia Harris said the annual holiday is intended to help families while also giving shoppers and retailers a clear window to prepare.
“This annual holiday provides meaningful savings for Ohio families while supporting back-to-school preparation,” Harris said. “We encourage shoppers and retailers to plan ahead and take advantage of the exemption.”
For families with multiple children, the savings can add up quickly, especially when purchases include shoes, shirts, pants, notebooks, folders, pencils, and other classroom basics. Retailers are also encouraged to review state guidance in advance so that eligible purchases are handled correctly during the holiday weekend.
More Information Available
The Ohio Department of Taxation has additional information online, including frequently asked questions and guidance for both consumers and retailers. Taxpayers who need assistance may also contact the department at 1-888-405-4039 or submit questions by email through the department’s website.
