Tennessee Tax-Free Weekend runs for one week in early August each year
Tennessee's tax-free weekend happens once per year in early August. The state suspends sales tax on certain school supplies, clothing, and shoes during a seven-day period. The exact dates shift slightly year to year because the state anchors the event to the first Monday in August — the weekend runs from the Friday before through the following Thursday.
For 2024, tax-free weekend is August 2–8. For 2025, it will be August 1–7. The state does not announce dates further ahead than the current year, so you will need to check the Tennessee Department of Revenue website closer to August if you are planning ahead for the following year.
During these seven days, you pay no state or local sales tax on covered items when you buy them in Tennessee. The federal tax does not apply to clothing or school supplies anyway, so this is purely a state and local break. Online purchases from Tennessee retailers are also tax-free if the retailer is based in Tennessee; purchases from out-of-state retailers follow the normal rules for that retailer's location.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee tax-free weekend occurs once yearly in early August, running from the Friday before the first Monday through the following Thursday.
- The break covers school supplies (pens, notebooks, calculators under $100), clothing and shoes under $100 per item, and certain school-related equipment.
- Items over $100 are taxed normally, and food, electronics, and sports equipment are not covered even if used for school.
- The tax savings apply only to purchases made in Tennessee during the seven-day window, whether in-store or from Tennessee-based online retailers.
What items are covered during tax-free weekend
School supplies under $100 per item are tax-free. This includes notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, folders, binders, paper, staplers, tape, glue, scissors, rulers, calculators, and similar items used for schoolwork. The $100 limit applies per individual item — a single notebook that costs $150 would be taxed, but ten $10 notebooks would not.
Clothing and shoes under $100 per item are also tax-free, regardless of whether they are used for school. This covers shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, socks, underwear, and shoes. Accessories like belts, hats, and scarves count as clothing. Again, the $100 threshold is per item — a $120 coat is taxed, but a $80 coat and a $40 pair of shoes are both tax-free.
School-related equipment under $100 is covered in some cases. This can include items like book bags, backpacks, and certain sports uniforms if they are required for a school class. However, sports equipment itself — cleats, gloves, bats, balls — is not covered, even if the student needs it for a school team.
What is not covered by the tax-free weekend
Any single item priced at $100 or more is taxed normally, even if it is a school supply or clothing. A graphing calculator that costs $120 will be charged tax. A winter coat priced at $150 will be charged tax. The threshold is strict and applies to the item's listed price before tax.
Food and beverages are never tax-free, even if purchased during the weekend. School lunches, snacks, drinks, and any prepared or packaged food remain taxed. Vitamins and medicines are also taxed.
Electronics are not covered. Computers, tablets, phones, headphones, printers, and similar devices are taxed normally. This applies even if the student needs them for school. Sports equipment — cleats, gloves, bats, balls, protective gear — is taxed. Furniture, including desks and chairs, is taxed.
How to use tax-free weekend in practice
You do not need to register, show a voucher, or prove you are buying for school. When you check out at a store during the tax-free weekend dates, the cashier will ring up covered items without sales tax automatically. Online, the tax will not be added at checkout if you are buying from a Tennessee retailer during the window.
The burden is on you to know what is covered. Cashiers are trained on the rules, but mistakes happen — an item might be rung up with tax when it should not be, or vice versa. Check your receipt before you leave the store. If you were charged tax on a covered item, ask the cashier to correct it on the spot.
If you are shopping online, check the retailer's tax policy. Some Tennessee-based retailers automatically remove tax during the weekend; others may require you to enter a code or may not participate at all. Call or email the retailer ahead of time if you are unsure.
Planning your shopping around the dates
The seven-day window is narrow, so if you have a list of school supplies or clothing you need, it makes sense to gather it during that week. Prices do not drop during tax-free weekend — the retailer does not discount items — but you save the sales tax, which ranges from about 7% to 9.5% depending on your county.
Stores often run their own promotions during tax-free weekend to draw shoppers, so you may see sales or discounts on top of the tax break. These are separate from the state tax suspension and vary by retailer. Check store websites or flyers in late July to see what promotions are planned.
If you are buying items that are close to the $100 threshold, be aware of the exact price. A shirt listed at $99.99 is covered; one at $100.01 is not. If you are unsure, ask the retailer for the exact price before checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy items in a store, or can I order online?
You can order online from Tennessee-based retailers and receive the tax break during the seven-day window. Out-of-state retailers do not participate in Tennessee's tax-free weekend, so purchases from them will be taxed according to that retailer's normal policy. Check with the retailer before you order if you are unsure where they are based.
What if I buy something on August 7 but it is delivered on August 10?
The tax treatment depends on when the order was placed, not when it was delivered. If you ordered during the tax-free weekend dates, the tax-free rate applies even if the item arrives after the weekend ends. However, some retailers may process the order after the weekend closes, so place your order before the final day ends to be safe.
Can I return an item I bought during tax-free weekend and get the tax back?
Return policies are set by the retailer, not by the state. If you return an item, the refund will follow the store's normal return rules. Some stores refund the full amount including the tax you did not pay; others may adjust the refund. Check the retailer's return policy before you buy.
Are uniforms for school sports covered?
School-required uniforms are covered if they are mandated by the school or team as part of the class or program. A uniform you must wear for a school-sponsored sport counts. However, optional sports equipment — cleats, gloves, pads — does not. If you are unsure whether a specific uniform qualifies, ask the school or the retailer.
What if a store charges me tax on a covered item by mistake?
Ask the cashier to correct it before you leave the store. Bring your receipt and the item, and explain that it is a covered school supply or clothing under $100. If the cashier cannot fix it, ask for a manager. Most stores will adjust the charge on the spot rather than process a refund later.