As we enter the season of savings, you may have the opportunity to score some deals on your favorite Apple products. Depending on where you live, you could benefit from the annual sales tax holidays taking place in nine states.
The states participating in this year’s tax-free periods are Alabama, Arkansas, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. However, the criteria for tax exemptions vary from state to state. Apple has compiled a helpful list detailing the dates of the tax-free periods in each state and which specific Apple product categories are eligible.
The tax-free periods generally run from July 18 to August 14, with varying durations in different states. Alabama kicks things off from July 18–20, while Ohio offers a more extended window from August 1–14.
Ohio has a more lenient approach, allowing any Apple item under $500 to qualify for the tax exemption. This excludes high-end items like iPhones and Macs, but products such as the standard iPad and basic Apple Watch fall below the threshold.
Arkansas stands out with no maximum purchase limit, making it a great opportunity to save on big-ticket Apple items. Macs, iPads, iPhones, and even the Apple Vision Pro are included in the list of eligible products.
On the other end of the spectrum, Virginia has limited qualifying items to phone chargers and batteries priced below $60.
These tax holidays are primarily designed to assist students in preparing for the upcoming school year. As a result, the eligible items are usually education-related and may exclude products like the Apple TV, HomePod, and Apple Watch. However, some states, such as South Carolina, have slightly broader interpretations, allowing items like AirPods for school use.
It’s essential to review the specific details for each state’s tax holiday to understand what qualifies as an accessory. For example, Alabama includes keyboards, mice, speakers, monitors, and the Apple Pencil as eligible accessories when purchased with a computer under $750.
While Apple has outlined the tax-free deals in certain states, there are additional tax holidays taking place in other states, such as Florida and Missouri, that include computer equipment. Florida’s back-to-school tax holiday throughout August covers personal computers and related accessories under $1,500, while Missouri’s tax holiday from August 1–3 exempts various computer-related items.
