Virginia Sales Tax Holiday 2026 Starts Today
Virginia’s Tax-Free Weekend Starts Today: Where Richmond Families Can Save
Richmond-area shoppers have all weekend to score tax-free savings as Virginia’s annual Sales Tax Holiday officially kicks off today.
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Running through Sunday, August 9, the tax holiday gives families a chance to save on back-to-school shopping, emergency preparedness supplies, and select energy-efficient products before students head back to class.
With schools across the Richmond region preparing to welcome students later this month, many parents are expected to take advantage of the weekend to stock up on essentials.
What Can You Buy Tax-Free?
Qualifying purchases include:
- Clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item
- School supplies priced at $20 or less per item
- Portable generators costing $1,000 or less
- Gas-powered chainsaws priced at $350 or less
- Qualifying emergency preparedness items costing $60 or less
- ENERGY STAR® and WaterSense® products priced at $2,500 or less
Where Richmond Shoppers Can Save
Whether you’re picking up school supplies at Short Pump Town Center, shopping the stores at White Oak Village, browsing retailers in Stony Point Fashion Park, or visiting your neighborhood Target, Walmart, or Staples, qualifying purchases will automatically ring up without Virginia sales tax.
The tax holiday also applies to eligible online purchases from participating retailers, making it easy to shop from home.
More Than Just Back-to-School Shopping
While many families use the tax holiday to prepare for the school year, it’s also a good time to buy hurricane and emergency preparedness supplies. August falls during the Atlantic hurricane season, making the weekend an opportunity to pick up flashlights, batteries, portable generators, and other qualifying emergency items while saving money.
Shop Before It’s Over!
Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, so Richmond shoppers have the weekend to take advantage of the savings before the tax exemption expires.
