2016 Tax-Free Weekend: List Of Dates And States Offering A Tax-Free Holiday Weekend Or Week

As much as some may not want to admit it, the new school year is getting ever closer and it’s time to do some back-to-school shopping. That being said, anyone and everyone would like some extra savings to keep a bit of cash in their pockets. The 2016 tax-free weekend happens at different times for different states and you need to know when it’s happening so you can take advantage of savings on school supplies, clothing, electronics, and so much more.

Some states will have three days of savings while others will only have two. There are even some states which will stretch an entire week with stores giving tax-free savings well outside of the advertised dates so never stop looking or asking if the deals are still in place.

Now, not everything is up for grabs on tax-free weekends and you need to know the rules and stipulations for saving. NBC affiliate 11 Alive has broken down the three different groups that are typically included in all states:

• Computers, computer components, and software that has a sales price of $1,000 or less.
• School supplies, school art supplies, school computer supplies and school instructional materials with a sales price of $20 or less.
• Clothing and footwear that has a sales price of $100 or less.

Make sure to check the rules for your own state as they can change.

Here are the states and dates for the 2016 tax-free weekends and when you can take part in them thanks to Free Tax Weekend. The “items included” are not always all that’s included so be sure to ask when shopping or click each link for more info.

Alabama: August 5-7 – Items included are clothing, computers, school supplies, books.

Arkansas: August 6-7 – Items included are clothing and school supplies.

Connecticut: August 21-27 – Items included are clothing and footwear.

Florida: August 5-7 – Items included are clothing, supplies, school supplies, computers.

Georgia: July 30-31 – Items included are Energy Star/WaterSense products.

Iowa: August 5-6 – Items included are clothing.

Louisiana: August 5-6: Items included are TPP (tangible personal property).

Maryland: August 14-20 – Items included are clothing and footwear.

Mississippi: July 29-30 – Items included are firearms, ammo, and hunting supplies.

Missouri: August 5-7 – Items included are clothing, school supplies, computers.

New Mexico: August 5-7 – Items included are clothing, computers, computer equipment, school supplies.

Ohio: August 5-7 – Items included are clothing, school supplies, instructional material.

Oklahoma: August 5-7 – Items included are clothing.

South Carolina: August 5-7 – Items included are clothing, school supplies, computers, and others.

Tennessee: July 29-31 – Items included are clothing, school supplies, computers.

Texas: August 5-7 – Items included are clothing, backpacks, school supplies.

Virginia: August 5-7 – Items included are clothing, school supplies, energy star products, generators, hurricane preparedness items.

These tax-free weekends are a great way to save some extra money and put some aside for a rainy day or even a college fund. While there are some who will make this their back-to-school shopping experience, other stores are offering up savings for other reasons.

Check around as commercials are already running for some mattress stores, furniture stores, and even car dealerships.

Not all states participate in tax-free weekends, and that is why some aren’t listed in the above list. There have been a few states which have already had their tax-free weekends earlier in the year for different reasons, and the savings were already there for consumers.

Going out on 2016 tax-free weekends can help those that are doing back-to-school shopping or just looking for some extra savings and deals. You’re really going to want to head out early as many items will be gone and a lot of stores are not going to do any sort of rainchecks if things are out of stock when you arrive. Have your game plan in place, prepare for a crazy time, and do some tax-free weekend shopping.

[Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images]