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Virginia Tax-Free Weekend 2026: Save on Preschool Supplies August 7–9

Parents get your school supplies this weekend and take advantage of VA's Tax Free Weekend

Back-to-school shopping is about to become a little more affordable for Virginia families. Virginia’s 2026 Sales Tax Holiday will take place Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9, 2026.


The tax-free period begins Friday at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday at 11:59 p.m. During the weekend, families can purchase qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane preparedness products, and other eligible items without paying Virginia sales tax.


At Blue Ribbon Results Academy, we encourage families to use this opportunity to prepare early for the 2026–2027 school year.




What Qualifies During Virginia’s Tax-Free Weekend?

According to Virginia Tax, the following purchases may qualify for the sales tax exemption:


School Supplies

Qualifying school supplies priced at $20 or less per item are tax-free.

Eligible items may include:

  • Crayons, markers and pencils

  • Construction paper and notebooks

  • Glue and glue sticks

  • Child-safe scissors

  • Folders and writing tablets

  • Lunchboxes

  • Backpacks

  • Art supplies

  • Other qualifying classroom materials


Before shopping, download the Blue Ribbon Results Academy Supply List so you can confirm the requested sizes, quantities and classroom items.


Clothing and Footwear

Qualifying clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item are also tax-free.

This may include:

  • Shirts and pants

  • Dresses and skirts

  • Socks and undergarments

  • Jackets and sweaters

  • Sneakers and other everyday footwear

  • Raincoats

  • School uniforms

  • Diapers and certain baby clothing


This is a great time to purchase comfortable, child-friendly clothing for preschool. Choose clothing that allows your child to move, play, explore and participate independently throughout the day.


Please remember to provide at least one complete change of seasonally appropriate clothing for your child. Each personal clothing item should be clearly labeled with your child’s first and last name.


Emergency Preparedness Products Are Included

Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday also covers certain hurricane and emergency preparedness items.

Eligible categories have different price limits. For example:

  • Portable generators priced at $1,000 or less

  • Gas-powered chainsaws priced at $350 or less

  • Chainsaw accessories priced at $60 or less

  • Certain additional hurricane and emergency supplies priced at $60 or less


Families should review the official Virginia Sales Tax Holiday information before purchasing emergency products because eligibility requirements and spending limits apply.


Qualifying Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products purchased for noncommercial home or personal use may also be tax-free when priced at $2,500 or less.


A Reminder About Classroom and Personal Supplies

Most of the supplies requested by Blue Ribbon Results Academy are community classroom items. These materials are combined and used by students and teachers throughout the school year.


Shared classroom supplies may include paper products, soap, cleaning supplies, art materials and other frequently used classroom items. Because these materials are purchased for and used by the classroom community, they are not assigned to an individual child and cannot be returned if a student later disenrolls.


The following items remain your child’s personal property:

  • Backpack

  • Nap mat, sheet, blanket and pillow combination

  • Pull-ups, when applicable

  • Change of clothing

  • Other clearly identified personal-care items


Please label all personal belongings before bringing them to school.


Five Tips for Shopping the Tax-Free Weekend


1. Download the Supply List First

Review the complete list before visiting the store or placing an online order. This will help you avoid purchasing the wrong sizes, quantities or types of supplies.


2. Check What You Already Have

Look through your child’s backpack, drawers and storage areas. You may already have unopened or gently used items that meet the school’s requirements.


3. Watch the Per-Item Price Limits

The tax exemption is based on the price of each eligible item, not simply the total amount of your purchase. School supplies must generally cost $20 or less per item, while qualifying clothing and footwear must cost $100 or less per item.


4. Label Personal Items

Write your child’s first and last name on backpacks, clothing, nap materials and other personal belongings. Labels help teachers quickly return misplaced items.


5. Keep Your Receipts

Save your receipts until you have confirmed that all items meet the classroom requirements and fit your child properly.


Prepare Now for a Strong Start

Having supplies ready before the first day helps children transition into their classroom with confidence. It also gives teachers time to organize shared materials and prepare engaging learning experiences.


Blue Ribbon Results Academy provides a nurturing, inclusive and brain-based preschool program for children ages 2–4. Our approach supports children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development while building meaningful connections between families and the school.


Families looking for a preschool in Norfolk, VA, or a licensed preschool in Prince William County are invited to learn more about our Norfolk and Dumfries campuses. We are proud to contribute to high-quality early childhood education in Virginia by creating classrooms where young children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.


Virginia’s Tax-Free Weekend only lasts three days, so download your supply list, make a shopping plan and take advantage of the available savings.


Virginia Sales Tax HolidayFriday, August 7–Sunday, August 9, 202612:01 a.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday




Eligibility and price limits apply. Visit Virginia Tax for the official rules and complete lists of qualifying products.

 
 
 

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