Maryland gives shoppers two tax-free stretches a year: a February weekend for Energy Star appliances with no price cap, and a full week in August when clothing and shoes priced $100 or less skip the 6% sales tax.
February 13–15, 2027
Saturday, February 13 through Monday, February 15
The weekend repeats every year from the Saturday before the third Monday in February through that Monday, so 2027 falls February 13–15 — the Comptroller posts the shopping FAQ a few weeks ahead.
Do online orders count?
Yes — online orders qualify as long as you pay during the weekend and the seller fills the order right away. If the item is backordered and you're not charged until it ships, it doesn't count.
| Item | Price cap | Tax status |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Star air conditioners | No cap | Exempt |
| Energy Star clothes washers & dryers | No cap | Exempt |
| Energy Star furnaces, heat pumps & boilers | No cap | Exempt |
| Energy Star standard-size refrigerators standard size only — compact and mini fridges aren't on the list | No cap | Exempt |
| Energy Star dehumidifiers & programmable thermostats | No cap | Exempt |
| Compact fluorescent light bulbs look for the Energy Star label on the package | No cap | Exempt |
| Solar water heaters Maryland treats these as tax-free at all times, not just this weekend | No cap | Exempt |
| Dishwashers, ovens, freezers & televisions only the appliances on the Comptroller's list qualify, Energy Star label or not | — | Not exempt |
Source: Comptroller of Maryland, Shop Maryland Energy Weekend FAQ — the place to check any edge case.
August 9–15, 2026
Sunday, August 9 through Saturday, August 15
Tax-free week is always the second Sunday of August through the following Saturday, so 2027 runs August 8–14 — the Comptroller reposts the shopping FAQ each summer.
Do online orders count?
Yes — an online order counts if you pay during the week and the item is either delivered before the week ends or accepted by the seller for immediate shipment. Backorders, and orders you aren't charged for until they ship after Saturday, don't qualify.
| Item | Price cap | Tax status |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing sweaters, shirts, slacks, jeans, dresses, robes, underwear, and belts at $100 or less each | $100 | Exempt |
| Footwear shoes and boots priced $100 or less | $100 | Exempt |
| Backpacks & bookbags only the first $40 of the price is tax-free — you still pay 6% on anything above that | $40 | Exempt |
| Jewelry, watches & handbags accessories stay taxable all week; backpacks are the one exception | — | Not exempt |
| Umbrellas, scarves, ties & headbands | — | Not exempt |
| Protective gear such as football pads clothing made for protection rather than normal wear doesn't qualify | — | Not exempt |
| Fabric, thread, buttons & zippers supplies for making or repairing clothes are taxable | — | Not exempt |
| Clothing alterations tax is due on the alteration charge even when the garment itself is exempt | — | Not exempt |
| School supplies, electronics & sports equipment Maryland's August week covers clothing, footwear, and backpacks only | — | Not exempt |
Source: Comptroller of Maryland, Frequently Asked Questions About Tax-Free Week — the place to check any edge case.
August 9–15, 2026 — from 12:01 a.m. Sunday through 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Maryland sets it as the second Sunday of August through the following Saturday every year, so 2027 will run August 8–14.
Only the first $40 of a backpack or bookbag is tax-free. On a $60 backpack you pay Maryland's 6% on the remaining $20 — about $1.20. If a store charged you on the full price by mistake, ask them first, or file a sales and use tax refund request with the Comptroller.
No. Maryland's August week covers clothing, footwear, and backpacks only. Notebooks, calculators, laptops, cleats, and team gear are all still taxable.
Yes, if you pay during the week and the seller ships right away or the item arrives before Saturday ends. An order that's backordered, or one you're not charged for until it ships later, doesn't qualify.
No. For clothing and footwear the $100 line is all-or-nothing, so sales tax is due on the whole $120. The first-$40 rule applies only to backpacks and bookbags.
Shop Maryland Energy Weekend — three days when Energy Star air conditioners, washers, dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, standard-size refrigerators, dehumidifiers, thermostats, and compact fluorescent bulbs are tax-free with no price cap. In 2026 it ran February 14–16.
Checked against Comptroller of Maryland, Shop Maryland Energy Weekend FAQ on 2026-08-14. See the national calendar for every state's holidays.