school supplies

U.S. parents can expect to spend roughly 11% more per child on school supplies this year, with an increase of close to $4,000 per child. The findings come from research conducted by Groundwork Collaborative and the Century Foundation.

Tennessee’s back-to-school tax-free weekend is scheduled for July 31 through August 2, allowing tax-exempt purchases of clothing, school supplies, and computers under specific price limits. The Tennessee Department of Revenue outlines exemptions for items costing $100 or less per piece for clothing and school supplies, and $1,500 or less for personal-use computers.

The author compared school supplies at Walmart and Target, finding Walmart had lower prices on most items while Target offered a better selection of products like mechanical pencils and pens. Both stores carried similar essentials, but Target's in-house brands and variety impressed the author despite slightly higher prices.

Lincolnton police have launched a 'Stuff the Bus' campaign to collect school supplies for local students before classes resume next month. Donations can be dropped off at the Lincolnton Police Department until August 6, with items including pencils, notebooks, and backpacks provided by United Way of Lincoln County and Lowe’s Home Improvement.

Florida’s monthlong back-to-school sales tax holiday began on Monday and ends Aug. 20, allowing tax-free purchases of items like electronics under $1,500, clothing and accessories under $100, and school supplies under $50. The exemption applies to in-store and online purchases.

Experts recommend waiting until after Labor Day for sales, and the State of Illinois will reduce sales tax on select clothing and school supplies from August 7 to 16.

Operation Homefront distributed school supplies to hundreds of local military families to help them start the new year with confidence. The initiative aims to support military families transitioning to new locations.

Tennessee's annual tax-free weekend returns at the end of July, allowing families to save on school supplies, clothes, and computers. The sales tax holiday is designed to help with back-to-school shopping expenses.

Virginia's 3-day sales tax holiday is scheduled for August 7-9, 2026, allowing tax-free purchases of school supplies, clothing, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products. The event aims to help residents save money on essential items.

Tennessee’s 2026 tax-free weekend will run from July 31 to August 2, allowing tax-free purchases of certain items like clothing under $100, school supplies under $100, and computers under $1,500. Restrictions include items for business use and online purchases requiring tax compliance.

A growing share of American families now start buying school supplies in June, shifting the back-to-school shopping window from late August. The early start aims to avoid crowded stores and spread out the shopping process.