Comptroller of Maryland Programs

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week 

August 9 - August 15, 2026

The second Sunday of August through the following Saturday is designated as Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week each year. During this week, qualifying apparel and footwear priced at $100 or less per item are exempt from the state sales tax. The first $40 of a backpack or bookbag purchase is also tax-free. (Accessory items, except for backpacks, are not included.)

This year's Tax-Free Week theme focuses on savings, for families, for local businesses, and for communities across the state.

We encourage Marylanders to consider doing their Tax-Free Week shopping at Maryland businesses. Purchases made at local retailers help support neighborhood jobs and contribute to the strength of local economies.

Download the official campaign and participating store flyers below:

• Download the Official Campaign Flyer (PDF)
• Download the Participating Stores Flyer (PDF)

Maryland Tax Free Week Video Contest

Sponsored and administered by the Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA), in partnership with the Comptroller of Maryland

Submit your entry between July 15 and August 1, 2026
Download the Contest Flyer (PDF)

The Comptroller of Maryland is proud to partner with the Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) on this year's Tax-Free Week video contest, sponsored and administered by MRA. Because nobody knows savings tips better than Maryland shoppers and the local retailers who support them, we’re inviting Marylanders to share their best back-to-school savings tips for a chance to win.

Submit a short video showing your tips for saving on back-to-school essentials and you could win! See the contest rules below.

What to Submit

A link to a short video (15–60 seconds recommended) at a Maryland retailer sharing a tip for saving money during Maryland's Tax-Free Week. Most retailers would love to have you promote their business, but we encourage you to ask for permission to film. Your video must be posted publicly on Instagram, Facebook, X, or YouTube. Upload your video, tag @MDComptroller and @MarylandRetailersAlliance, use #ShopMDTaxFreeContest, then submit it by pasting the video link into the entry form below. Videos must be original content created by the entrant, may not include copyrighted music, footage, or third-party branding without rights to use it, and must be family-friendly (no profanity, political messaging, or promotion of non-partner businesses/products).

Eligibility

Open to Maryland residents ages 18 and older. Entrants younger than 18 may participate with parent/guardian consent provided on this form. Comptroller's Office staff, Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) staff, and immediate family members of either are not eligible. No purchase is necessary to enter. TikTok entries are not accepted.

Judging & Prizes

Entries will be reviewed August 2–7, 2026, on the practicality of the saving tip, creativity and originality, clarity/production quality, and alignment with the campaign message. Winners will be announced August 8, 2026, the day before Tax-Free Week begins.

Prizes:

• $1,000 (1st place)
• $500 (2nd place)
• $250 (3rd place)

Acknowledgement

By entering, you grant the Comptroller's Office and the Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) permission to feature your video across owned social media channels, the campaign website, and press/PR materials, with credit to you as the creator. Winners may be asked to take part in a follow-up promotional post or brief interview during Tax-Free Week.

Shop Maryland Energy Tax-Free

Maryland's Tax Free Weekend for Certain Energy Star Products

Consumers will receive a break from the state's 6 percent sales tax on qualifying Energy Star products from Saturday February 14 - Monday February 16, 2026. During this Tax-Free Weekend, qualifying Energy Star products are tax free:

Air conditioners

Washers and dryers

Furnaces

Heat pumps

Boilers

Solar water heaters (tax-exempt at all times now)

Standard size refrigerators

Dehumidifiers

Programmable thermostats

Compact fluorescent light bulbs

Shop Maryland Energy weekend will occur in perpetuity (or until legislative amendment) from the Saturday immediately preceding the third Monday in February until the third Monday of February. Additionally, a tax free week on clothing and footwear priced $100 or less will occur every year during the second week of August.

From 12:01 a.m. on Saturday February 14 - Monday February 16, 2026, qualifying ENERGY STAR products are exempt from Maryland's 6 percent sales tax. For additional information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions. 

Financial Literacy

The Comptroller of Maryland is a strong proponent of financial literacy education. The Agency has worked diligently with public and private partners to foment the adoption of financial literacy graduation requirements, new programs and course work introduced in every school district across Maryland, along with the creation of finance parks allowing students to test their knowledge in real world situations.

April is recognized as financial literacy month. Children as young as three can grasp basic fiscal concepts and by seven years old they have developed financial habits that will carry through their entire lives. It is never too early to start teaching good fiscal behavior to set up a lifetime of success for your children. Teach your children the value of a dollar. It is also never to late to learn about financial literacy and begin building a stable economic future for you and your family. Below are more helpful links on financial education and how to get help to make positive changes for your fiscal future.