Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday Is Smaller This Year—Here’s What Shoppers Need to Know

If you’re planning your back-to-school shopping, don’t assume Ohio’s sales tax holiday works the same way it has over the past two years.

The 2026 holiday is both shorter and more limited. Instead of the expanded two-week holiday Ohio offered in 2024 and 2025, this year’s sales tax holiday runs only Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9 and applies only to certain back-to-school purchases.

What Qualifies?

During the three-day holiday, Ohio sales tax will not apply to:

• 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

Qualifying purchases include many everyday back-to-school essentials such as shoes, school uniforms, notebooks, writing instruments, and calculators.

What Changed?

The biggest change is what doesn’t qualify for the exemption.

During the last two years, most retail purchases priced at $500 or less qualified for the sales tax exemption. That broader exemption has ended, so many purchases that were tax-free last year will be taxable again in 2026.

Why the Change?

Ohio lawmakers recently approved legislation that returns the sales tax holiday to its traditional back-to-school format. The expanded holiday that was offered over the past two years was eliminated as part of a broader property tax relief package, with the resulting tax revenue being used to help fund property tax relief initiatives.

A Few Shopping Tips

Before heading to the store, keep these rules in mind:

• The dollar limits apply to each individual item, not your total purchase.
• Eligible online purchases qualify if completed during the holiday period.
• Sports equipment, taxable services, and many other non-school purchases are not exempt.

The Takeaway

Although the holiday is more limited this year, families can still save on qualifying back-to-school purchases. Planning ahead and understanding the revised rules can help you avoid unexpected sales tax at checkout and make the most of this year’s holiday.

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