July 28, 2025

Tennessee’s Annual Tax-Free Weekend Kicks Off

News Summary

Tennessee’s annual tax-free weekend began on July 25 and runs until July 27, offering a 9.25% exemption on essential back-to-school purchases. Families are taking advantage of this three-day event to save on clothing, school supplies, and computers, with shoppers at Target and Walmart sharing their experiences of maximizing savings. The tax holiday comes as many parents face rising prices on school items and provides a much-needed financial break for back-to-school shopping.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – Tennessee’s annual tax-free weekend kicked off on July 25 and will conclude on July 27 at 11:59 p.m., allowing families to save on essential back-to-school purchases. During this three-day event, shoppers in Knox County will benefit from a 9.25% exemption on state and local sales taxes for qualifying items, including clothing, school supplies, and computers.

This tax holiday enables parents and guardians to buy needed school supplies without the burden of sales tax, which is particularly appealing at a time when prices for these items have increased. Families are taking advantage of this unique opportunity to stock up on everything from notebooks and pencils to backpacks and electronic devices.

Two families were observed shopping at Target and Walmart during the tax-free weekend, making strategic choices to maximize their savings. One shopper, Amanda Brown, shared her experience purchasing supplies for her daughter, who is set to enter the sixth grade. She noted the rising prices and expanding supply lists faced by parents this year, stressing her commitment to saving money on essentials such as notebooks and pencils, a new backpack, and other supplies recommended by teachers.

Amanda Brown, also an employee of Knox County schools, mentioned that she aims to further assist students by buying additional supplies, highlighting the community spirit of the event. Another family, the Rees family, approached their shopping with a methodical strategy, conducting price checks to ensure they would maximize their savings.

Tracy Rees pointed out that the nearly 10% savings during this tax holiday are significant, especially given the current economic challenges. The Rees family was shopping for their rising freshman in high school and their rising fourth grader. They reported saving approximately $16 at Target and an overall total of around $50 by combining tax exemptions with existing sales.

The Tennessee tax-free weekend is a single opportunity each year that allows families to save on necessary purchases that must be made regardless. The sales tax rate in Tennessee is notably high, making this tax holiday particularly attractive for consumers looking to alleviate financial pressures.

What Qualifies for the Tax Exemption?

To qualify for the tax exemptions during this weekend, clothing items must cost $100 or less. Similarly, individual school supplies must be priced under $100 to be considered tax-free. For computers and tablets, the maximum purchase price to benefit from the tax exemption is $1,500.

However, not all items are eligible for the tax holiday. Accessories, jewelry, and sports equipment, which normally incur sales tax, are not included in this exemption. It is important for shoppers to be aware of these restrictions as they plan their purchases.

Online Purchases and Tax-Free Benefits

Shoppers can also take advantage of the tax exemptions through online purchases. Items ordered and paid for during the tax-free weekend can qualify for tax exemption as long as they are shipped to a Tennessee address.

Tennessee’s tax-free weekend began at 12:01 AM on July 25 and will conclude at 11:59 PM on July 27. This brief time frame places added motivation on families to make their purchases within these three days to maximize their savings on essential back-to-school items.

As families look forward to the new school year, this tax-free weekend provides a crucial opportunity to stretch budgets further while ensuring students have the supplies they need for a successful academic year.