# Tax-free weekend: Best deals on laptops and power stations High-ticket tech items get sales tax breaks across US states this weekend - **Source:** [Mashable](https://brifing.si/source/3cd6d1d0-9c29-4750-8bc9-f2afefb52505) - **Published:** 2026-08-07 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/cf572d45-9e86-4404-8a5c-b81c4de579aa ## What is tax-free weekend? Many US states waive or reduce sales tax on certain purchases during August back-to-school season. This year's tax holiday on August 7-9 across 10 states offers significant savings, especially on high-ticket tech items. Experts recommend using the break for laptops, printers or power stations rather than $5-10 school supplies, as the savings are more substantial on expensive electronics where skipping tax makes a real difference. ## State-by-state variations Tax exemption rules vary significantly by state. Massachusetts removes tax on all personal retail items under $2,500 while South Carolina has no price cap on computers. Missouri offers tax breaks on computers up to $1,500 and Virginia includes portable generators under $1,000. States like Iowa and Ohio limit exemptions to clothing under $100. Consumers should check their state's specific eligibility rules before major purchases. ## Online shopping advantage The tax breaks apply to online purchases too, as long as the shipping address is in a participating state. However, experts warn that shipping fees could accidentally push items over price limits. For example, a $1,450 laptop with $60 shipping in a $1,500-limit state would become taxable at $1,510 total. Consumers are advised to carefully review final totals before checkout to ensure tax exemption eligibility. ## Best laptop deals Florida and Missouri exempt computers up to $1,500 from sales tax. On $500-$1,200 mid-range laptops, the 4-6% tax savings adds $30-$80 on top of existing discounts. South Carolina and Massachusetts offer even better deals with no price caps - saving about $120 on a $2,000 premium laptop or gaming rig. Apple MacBooks are among the most popular picks during this period, with current-gen models seeing significant combined discounts. ## Power stations and generators Virginia uniquely includes emergency equipment in its tax holiday, offering 5-6% savings on portable generators under $1,000. This translates to $45-$50 savings on $800-$900 units - ideal for storm season preparedness. Products like the DJI Power 2000 portable station at $719 (normally $1,299) become particularly attractive when combined with tax exemption in participating states. ## Other tech inclusions Missouri's tax break covers software under $350 and graphing calculators under $150, while Virginia includes chainsaws up to $350. Massachusetts' $2,500 cap makes OLED monitors eligible, and South Carolina's unlimited exemption applies to printers. Tech analysts recommend focusing on next-gen gaming PCs and professional displays during this period for maximum savings. ## August shopping calendar Maryland runs its tax holiday August 9-15 on clothing under $100 and backpacks (first $40). Connecticut offers tax-free clothing under $300 from August 16-22. Florida's break extends through August 20 while Mississippi uniquely includes hunting supplies with no price cap on August 28-30. Consumers should verify exact dates and eligible items on state government websites before major purchases. ## Strategic shopping tips Consumer advocates recommend timing annual big tech purchases to coincide with tax holidays for maximum savings. College students can save 5-7% on laptops, printers and software. Combining tax breaks with retailers' back-to-school promotions can yield total discounts of 15-20%. Experts suggest prioritizing high-value items where the tax savings are greatest, rather than spreading purchases across multiple smaller items. ## Sources covering this story - https://mashable.com/tech/tax-free-weekend-deals — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._