The state of Ohio has scaled back its annual back-to-school sales tax holiday this year. The holiday runs from midnight Friday, Aug. 7 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9.
Unlike the extended expanded-item tax-free holidays in 2024 and 2025 (which covered items up to $500), the 2026 holiday has reverted to its traditional three-day format and strictly covers specific back-to-school items.
This year, no state or local sales tax will be charged on clothing priced at $75 or less, school supples at $20 or less and school instructional materials at $20 or less per item.
Clothing: Apparel for general use, such as jackets, uniforms and shoes, provided the ticket prices is $75 or under.
School supplies: Items such as notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, rulers and book bags qualify, as long as each item costs $20 or less.
Instructional materials: Workbooks, reference books and text books priced at $20 or less are also exempt.
Details:
Qualification is based on the price of each individual item rather than your total shopping cart. For example, if you purchase three shirts for $70 each, all three are tax exempt.
You can also claim the tax exemption on eligible items ordered and paid for online during the holiday.
For more information: https://tax.ohio.gov/business/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday