Ohio Returns to Three-Day Sales Tax Holiday in August

The Government of Ohio will implement a state and local sales tax holiday from midnight Friday, August 7, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 9, 2026. This three-day window marks a return to the traditional holiday scale after the 2025 event lasted 14 days. The shift follows the sunset of expanded exemptions previously authorized for 2024 and 2025.

Tax exemptions apply to clothing priced at $75 or less per item, and school supplies or instructional materials priced at $20 or less. In contrast to previous expanded holidays that covered items up to $500, this year's event excludes computers, electronics, restaurant food, vehicles, boats, marijuana, and alcohol. The holiday is permissible because the state maintains a revenue surplus of at least $60 million.

State lawmakers reduced the scope of the holiday to generate revenue for property tax reforms. These initiatives, including House Bill 186 and five other bills, are intended to provide between $2 billion and $3 billion in relief to homeowners. While the current holiday is limited, the Ohio General Assembly has scheduled another expanded sales tax holiday to return in 2027.