Parents: Illinois’ Back-To-School Tax Holiday Returns This Week

It's been a long time since I had to buy backpacks, notebooks, crayons, or folders for a new school year. My kids have long since graduated, so I'll admit I don't spend much time thinking about back-to-school shopping anymore.

But I sure wish Illinois had offered a tax break like this when the kids were filling our kitchen table with school supply lists every August.

For the first time since 2022, Illinois is bringing back its Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, giving families a chance to save a little money as another school year gets underway. The tax holiday runs from August 7 through August 16, and during that 10-day window the state's portion of the sales tax drops from 6.25% to 1.25% on qualifying purchases.

Local sales taxes still apply, but the state tax reduction can make a noticeable difference for families buying everything on those seemingly endless school supply lists.

yellow plastic hair comb beside black ipad

Let's Take A Look At What The Illinois Tax Holiday Covers

The tax break covers most clothing and footwear priced under $125 per item, along with many common school supplies used by students. Items such as notebooks, folders, binders, pencils, pens, crayons, rulers, backpacks, lunch boxes, art supplies, and certain computer supplies qualify for the reduced tax rate.

As you're no doubt aware, back-to-school shopping isn't cheap anymore. Between new clothes, supplies, shoes, calculators, and everything else that somehow finds its way onto the list, parents can easily spend hundreds of dollars before the first school bell rings. Every little bit helps, especially with so many families still feeling the effects of higher prices on just about everything.

Is this tax holiday going to save anyone a fortune? Probably not. But if you're already planning to make those purchases, it makes sense to do them during the holiday and keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.

As someone who's thankfully past the annual scramble through the school supply aisle, I'm just a little jealous. This is one Illinois tradition I'd have gladly taken advantage of when my kids were heading back to class.