Time to Start Thinking about Back to School?!?
Ohio Sales Tax Holiday 2026: What Shoppers Need to Know
Ohio's annual Sales Tax Holiday is returning in 2026—but it looks different than it did the past two years.
After expanded tax-free periods in 2024 and 2025 that applied to most tangible personal property priced at $500 or less, Ohio has returned to its traditional back-to-school sales tax holiday. For many families, this still offers an opportunity to save money on qualifying school-related purchases before classes begin.
2026 Ohio Sales Tax Holiday Dates
Friday, August 7, 2026 (12:00 a.m.) through Sunday, August 9, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)
During this three-day period, qualifying purchases are exempt from Ohio state and local sales tax.
What Qualifies?
The following items qualify when purchased during the holiday and meet the price limits:
Clothing
Priced at $75 or less per item
Includes items such as shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, coats, and diapers
School Supplies
Priced at $20 or less per item
Examples include notebooks, binders, folders, backpacks, crayons, pencils, calculators, and similar classroom supplies
School Instructional Materials
Priced at $20 or less per item
Includes workbooks, reference books, maps, and globes used for educational purposes.
What's Changed?
If you enjoyed the expanded tax holiday in 2024 or 2025, you'll notice a significant difference this year.
Those expanded holidays exempted most tangible personal property priced at $500 or less over a longer period. For 2026, Ohio has returned to the original three-day back-to-school format with lower price limits and a narrower list of qualifying items. This change resulted from legislation enacted in late 2025.
Shopping Tips
To maximize your savings:
- Check the price of each individual item, as the limits apply per item—not the total purchase.
- Shop early to avoid crowds and inventory shortages.
- Online purchases may qualify if the order is completed during the tax holiday period under Ohio's rules. Item does not have to be delivered during the tax holiday period.
Questions About Ohio Sales Tax?
Sales tax rules can be confusing, especially for retailers and business owners. If you have questions about Ohio sales tax compliance, exemptions, or your business's tax obligations, we're here to help.
Contact our office to discuss your situation or schedule a consultation with one of our tax professionals.