Tennessee Tax-Free Weekend 2025: Exact Dates, Qualifying Items, and Top Stores for Big Savings

Shoppers across the Volunteer State are gearing up for Tennessee’s annual sales-tax holiday, better known as tax free weekend TN, which kicks off at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 25 and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025. During these 72 hours, most clothing, school supplies and computers can be purchased without paying the state’s combined sales-tax rate that typically tops 9 percent. What qualifies for the exemption • Clothing: Shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, jackets and similar items priced at $100 or less per piece. Accessories such as jewelry, handbags and sports gear remain taxable. • School supplies: Notebooks, binders, backpacks, art supplies and calculators, each priced at $100 or less. • Computers & tablets: Laptops, desktops and tablets intended for personal use costing $1,500 or less per item. Televisions, gaming consoles and software are excluded. Because the holiday zeroes out both the 7 percent state sales tax and local add-ons, families can save nearly 10 percent at checkout, a welcome break as back-to-school shopping peaks. In-store and online The exemption applies to online purchases shipped to a Tennessee address as long as the order is placed during the holiday window, meaning e-commerce giants such as Amazon automatically remove sales tax at checkout. Shoppers should confirm that their cart meets the item and price limits before finalizing payment. Timing strategies to maximize savings 1. Create a supply checklist now so you can check inventory and avoid impulse buys once the rush begins. 2. Compare prices online early and use store pickup to lock in inventory at midnight Friday. 3. Stack retailers’ own coupons or loyalty cash with the tax break for deeper discounts. 4. If you’re buying a new laptop, verify the model number meets the $1,500 ceiling; accessories such as printers or warranties will still incur tax. 5. Hold on to receipts—many school districts reimburse educators for classroom materials purchased during the weekend. What’s not tax-free • Items costing more than the specified caps. • Jewelry, sporting equipment, protective gear. • Software, printers and digital storage media. Economic impact According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, the state forfeits roughly $10 million in tax collections each year during the holiday, but retailers report some of their highest July traffic as families stock up for the new academic year. Small businesses, in particular, benefit from an influx of foot traffic that can carry into August. Key takeaways • When: July 25–27, 2025, midnight Friday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday. • Where: All Tennessee brick-and-mortar and online retailers shipping to a TN address. • What: Clothing and school supplies ≤ $100 per item; computers/tablets ≤ $1,500. • Why: Save up to 9.75 percent in combined sales taxes before school starts. Whether you’re picking up crayons for kindergarten or a laptop for a college freshman, Tennessee’s 2025 tax free weekend delivers one of the best chances all year to stretch shopping dollars. Plan ahead, shop early and keep your receipts to make the most of the sales-tax holiday.