Ohio’s 2026 sales tax holiday runs Aug. 7-9. Here’s what you can and can’t buy at a discount 3%
By Signal Cleveland Staff5%
7/30/2026, 9:01:00 PM
Topics: Sales Tax, Consumer Rights
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Ohio’s tax-free holiday will last for just three days this year, down from two weeks last year – and gone is the expanded tax exemption on furniture, electronics and appliances.
Still, shoppers in Cuyahoga County can save the 8% sales tax on some clothing and school items from Aug. 7 to 9.
Find more details on what’s included and how it works here.
What’s the window for Ohio’s tax-free holiday in 2026?
You can make tax-free purchases on certain items starting Friday, Aug. 7, at midnight.
In-person and online purchases must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug.
9.
What can I buy during the Ohio sales-tax holiday?
This year’s holiday includes clothing that costs $75 or less, school supplies that are $20 or less, and school instructional materials that are $20 or less.
What are some examples of items that won’t have sales tax?
Clothing: Coats, shoes, uniforms, diapers, bathing suits and even wedding apparel
School and office supplies: Paper, pens, markers, calculators, binders, book bags
Books: Novels, textbooks and workbooks
What things are NOT included in the sales-tax holiday?
Clothing that costs $75.01 or more
School supplies that cost $20.01 or more
School instructional materials that cost $20.01 or more
Cars, trucks, scooters
Alcohol, tobacco products, vapor products
Items containing marijuana
Watercraft or outboard motors
How much money can I save?
The state sales tax in Ohio is 5.75%, and, with additional local sales taxes, purchases made in Cuyahoga County are typically subject to a total 8% sales tax.
Here’s the sale tax in nearby counties:
Summit County: 6.75%
Geauga County: 6.75%
Medina County: 6.75%
Portage County: 7.0%
What if a store tells me they aren’t participating in Ohio’s tax-free holiday?
Retailers cannot opt out of participating.
If you are charged sales tax, you can ask the store for a refund.
If the store refuses, you can apply through the state using this form.
Will I be charged sales tax if I buy an item online?
As long as you finish the purchase during the sale-tax-free time period, you should not be charged.
It doesn’t matter when the item is actually delivered.
But note: If you’re buying from a seller in a different time zone, it is the seller’s time zone that determines the date and time.
Shipping and handling should also be tax-free.
The items do not have to be delivered during the holiday.
Additionally, items placed on layaway or picked up from layaway during the holiday period are exempt from sales tax.
What if an item I want is out of stock during the sales tax holiday?
As long as you pay for the item during the tax holiday, it should still be free of sales tax, even if it isn’t delivered until later.
Retailers can still accept coupons and loyalty cards.
What happens if I need to return or exchange an item?
If you buy an item during the Ohio sales-tax holiday but need to exchange it for the same item after, the retailer should not charge sales tax.
If you return an item and buy a different item after the holiday is over, you will be charged sales tax.
Help!
I’m a local business and I have a sales-tax holiday question.
What should I do?
If you are a business owner and have questions, contact the Ohio Department of Taxation at 1-888-405-4039 for assistance.
If you’re using text telephones (TTY) or adaptive equipment, call 1-800-750-0750 to speak with a representative.
Signal Akron staff contributed to this report .
The post Ohio’s 2026 sales tax holiday runs Aug.
7-9.
Here’s what you can and can’t buy at a discount appeared first on Signal Cleveland .
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