Ohio’s 2026 tax-free weekend shrinks to three days. Here’s what to know

Families planning their back-to-school shopping can use the August tax holiday to save money.

However, the time frame for this sales tax break is much shorter this year—just three days, running from midnight on Friday, Aug. 7, until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. In comparison, last year’s tax holiday extended for two weeks.

Another difference this year is that restaurants are no longer part of the tax holiday. In 2024 and 2025, shoppers could enjoy discounted sit-down meals during the event, but that option will not be available this time.

The range of items eligible for tax-free purchases during Ohio’s three-day August holiday has been reduced, according to the Ohio Department of Taxation. For instance, the expanded exemption on items priced at $500 or less will not be offered this year.

On its website, the Ohio Department of Taxation describes this year’s tax break as a back-to-school holiday and notes that the exemption applies to:

All clothing priced at $75 or less.
School supplies priced at $20 or less.
School instructional materials priced at $20 or less.

“This annual holiday provides meaningful savings for Ohio families while supporting back-to-school preparation,” stated Tax Commissioner Patricia Harris in a recent media release published by Gov. Mike DeWine’s office. “We encourage shoppers and retailers to plan ahead and take advantage of the exemption.”

Beginning in 2024, Ohio established a sales tax holiday lasting at least three days, covering the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of August each year when a budget surplus is available, according to the Ohio Department of Taxation.

Ohio sales tax holiday information on sales over telephone, mail and online

Qualified items sold by mail, telephone, e-mail, or Internet qualify if ordered and paid for during the sales tax holiday, even if delivered later outside the holiday.
Orders and payments made before the holiday do not qualify, even if delivered during the holiday.
If an item is backordered and the payment does not occur until a later shipment outside the holiday period, the item does not qualify.
If all items in a shipment qualify and are within the price limit, shipping and handling charges are not taxable.
If the shipment includes both exempt and taxable items, shipping and handling charges should be divided based on the price of the taxable items.

For more details, visit https://tax.ohio.gov/business/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday