Tax-free shopping returns to Ohio this August

Ohio will hold a sales tax holiday for two weeks in 2025, allowing shoppers to purchase certain items tax-free. The holiday starts at midnight on Friday, Aug. 1, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14.

During this period, state sales tax will not apply to most physical items costing $500 or less, whether purchased in stores or online.

Ohio expanded its sales tax holiday in 2024, making it 10 days long and including more items than just school supplies.

However, some items remain taxable during the holiday. These include services, vehicles, boats, alcohol, tobacco, vape products, and items with marijuana.

Examples of tax-free items include electronics, clothes, books, home goods, plants, sports equipment, and dine-in food.

Specific rules apply to various situations:

Mixed Carts: If a purchase includes both tax-exempt and taxable items sold together at one price, sales tax will be applied to the entire purchase. However, if their prices are listed separately, only the taxable items will be subject to sales tax.

Online Shopping: Items purchased online during the holiday will be tax-free if ordered and paid for, and if the store accepts the order, during the holiday period. This applies even if the items arrive after the holiday ends.

Shipping: If all items in an order are tax-free and cost $500 or less per item, then shipping and handling charges will not be taxed. If an order contains both tax-free and taxable items, shipping costs will be taxed only on the portion attributed to the taxable items.

Exchanges and Returns: If a tax-free item is exchanged for the same item after the holiday, sales tax will not be charged. But if a tax-free item is returned after the holiday for a different item, sales tax will apply to the new item. If an item purchased before the holiday is returned during the holiday for a new tax-free item, sales tax will not apply to the new item, and the retailer should credit the original purchase price and sales tax paid.