Ohio Sales Tax Holiday 2026: Save on Back-to-School Shopping
Back-to-school expenses can add up quickly. Ohio’s 2026 sales tax holiday offers families an opportunity to reduce the cost of qualifying clothing, classroom supplies, and instructional materials.
This year, the holiday runs from Friday, August 7th to Sunday, August 9th. Unlike Ohio’s expanded holiday in 2025, this year’s event returns to the traditional back-to-school format.
Here is what Lorain County shoppers should know before heading to the store or placing an online order.
Table of Contents
What qualifies for Ohio’s 2026 sales tax holiday?
Eligible purchases include:
- Clothing priced at $75 or less per item
- School supplies priced at $20 or less per item
- School instructional materials priced at $20 or less per item
Common qualifying purchases may include shirts, pants, shoes, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, workbooks, and maps. Certain products, including sports and recreational equipment, do not qualify.
Eligibility is determined by each item’s selling price, not the total value of the transaction. For example, a shopper purchasing a $40 shirt, $60 pair of shoes and $100 jacket would receive the exemption on the shirt and shoes. The jacket would remain taxable because its individual price exceeds $75.
Does part of a more expensive item qualify?
No. The price limit applies to the entire item.
If a jacket costs $100, the first $75 is not exempt. Similarly, a school supply priced above $20 does not receive a partial exemption.
Can qualifying items be purchased together?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of eligible products that may be included in one transaction, provided each item meets the applicable price requirement.
Items normally sold as a set or pair cannot be divided to qualify. A pair of shoes, for example, is treated as one item and must cost $75 or less to receive the exemption.
Do online purchases qualify?
Eligible online purchases may qualify when the order is accepted during the sales tax holiday, subject to Ohio’s rules and the retailer’s ordering process. Review the tax calculation before completing your purchase and keep the receipt for your records.
Plan before you shop
A sales tax holiday can help your budget, but the biggest savings often begin with a thoughtful shopping plan:
- Review school supply lists and existing items at home.
- Set a spending limit before browsing.
- Compare prices and available discounts.
- Confirm that each product falls within Ohio’s eligibility limits.
- Check your receipt before leaving the store.
Remember that a tax exemption does not automatically make every purchase a bargain. Prioritize necessities and avoid buying something solely because it is tax-free.
Make checkout faster with LorMet Mobile Pay
LorMet members can add an eligible LorMet debit or credit card to a supported mobile wallet for quick, contactless payments at participating retailers. Mobile wallets help protect card information because merchants do not receive your actual account number.
Members can also use the LorMet CardControl app to monitor card activity, establish transaction alerts and review spending insights, helpful tools for keeping a back-to-school budget on track.
For complete eligibility rules and exclusions, visit the Ohio Department of Taxation’s 2026 sales tax holiday guide.
Need help with your LorMet debit card, Visa® credit card or mobile wallet? Explore LorMet Mobile Pay, contact our team at 440-960-6600 or visit your nearest LorMet branch.
Tax rules are subject to change. Consult the Ohio Department of Taxation for the latest official guidance.