Illinois back-to-school tax holiday returns

Illinois shoppers will get a break on clothing, footwear and school supplies for 10 days this summer as the state’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday returns from Aug. 7 through Aug. 16, 2026. During that period, the state’s share of sales tax drops from 6.25% to 1.25% on qualifying purchases.

The holiday applies to clothing and footwear priced under $125 per item, as well as eligible school supplies with no price cap. Qualifying clothing includes items such as coats, shirts, pants, dresses, school uniforms, rainwear, gloves, hats and aprons. Eligible footwear includes shoes, sneakers, sandals, boots, socks and insoles.

Not every back-to-school item qualifies. Clothing accessories such as handbags, jewelry, watches, cosmetics and umbrellas are not included, along with sports gear and protective equipment. Certain footwear, including ballet shoes, cleats, skates, ski boots and waders, is also excluded.

School supplies covered by the holiday include binders, backpacks, calculators, notebooks, crayons, markers, glue, folders, pencils, pens, rulers, scissors and similar items used by students. Items such as textbooks, workbooks, art supplies, computers, printers, cell phones and other electronics remain fully taxed.

For more information, see the Illinois Department of Revenue’s informational bulletin.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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