Ohio’s annual Sales Tax Holiday gives families an opportunity to reduce the cost of back-to-school shopping by purchasing many qualifying items without paying state or local sales tax. For parents with college-bound students, combining the tax holiday with a 529 college savings plan may create additional savings. Here’s what Ohio families should know before shopping this year.
Ohio’s 2026 Sales Tax Holiday: Key Dates
As summer winds down, many families begin preparing for another school year. While kids try to make the most of their remaining days of summer vacation, parents are shifting their focus on preparing for the upcoming school year. Whether your child is entering kindergarten or beginning a new chapter at an out-of-state university, back-to-school shopping is an inevitable part of the season.
Ohio’s annual back-to-school Sales Tax Holiday weekend will take place August 7th–9th, providing families with an excellent opportunity to stretch their hard-earned dollars further. At PDS, we’re committed to helping you understand how to maximize these savings and make the most of these meaningful savings for your family.
What Purchases Qualify for Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday?
During the tax-free holiday weekend, many qualifying purchases are exempt from both Ohio state and local sales tax. Eligible items include school supplies (priced at $20 or less per item), clothing items (priced at $75 or less per item), and instructional materials (priced at $20 or less per item), with no overall spending limit. Whether you shop online or in-store, the sales tax holiday can provide meaningful savings as you prepare for the upcoming school year. A complete list of qualifying items is available through the Ohio Department of Taxation – Sales Tax Holiday 2026 for additional guidance.
How a 529 College Savings Plan Can Help Reduce Back-to-School Costs
For families with students going off to college, combining the tax-free holiday weekend with funds from a 529 college savings plan can create additional savings opportunities. Qualified 529 plan distributions may be used for eligible education expenses, including school supplies, basic dorm room furnishings, and technology such as computers, televisions, and tablets (up to $500 per item). While items such as mini refrigerators may not qualify as 529 expenses, many other essential purchases do. As always, we recommend retaining detailed receipts and documentation for any purchases made with 529 plan funds to substantiate qualified distributions.
Make the Most of Your Back-to-School Budget
Every family’s education expenses are different, and understanding which purchases qualify under Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday and your 529 plan can help you make more informed financial decisions. While these seasonal savings may seem modest, they are one example of how thoughtful planning can support your broader financial goals over time.
If you have questions about qualified 529 expenses, education planning, or how these strategies fit into your overall financial plan, the PDS Planning team is happy to help. Contact us to start the conversation.
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