Buying a new Apple device? You can get it tax-free in 8 states – but only these days
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Highlights taken by ZDNET
- Duty free shopping usually starts in late July and early August.
- Only certain states support tax-free shopping on Apple products.
- iPhones, iPads, and Macs may qualify depending on the situation.
Looking to buy a new iPhone, iPad, or Mac but turned off by Apple’s pricing? If you live in the right state, you’ll soon be able to save money by snagging something tax-free.
Depending on where you live and what product you’re looking for, duty-free shopping usually kicks in between July and August with an emphasis on back-to-school items. While many states waive sales tax on a wide range of products, only some include Apple devices and related items in the list.
Also: Apple confirms price hike is coming – how much will it cost you?
The duty-free shopping comes at a time when Apple has been raising prices on several products. Due to the high cost and short supply of memory chips, vendors like Apple have been forced to raise prices on key items just to maintain their profit margins. This means you’re now paying anywhere from 15% to 25% more for iPads, MacBooks, and other devices than you would a month ago.
With all that in mind, which states decide? These states include Alabama, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Here’s the country schedule, tax-free shopping days, and eligible Apple products.
Alabama
Days: July 17–19, 2026
Products:
- Computers (under $1,173)
- Macs
- iPads
- Accessories (only when purchased online and total sales are less than $1,173)
- Keyboards
- Rats
- Apple Pencil
- Speakers/HomePods
- The guards
- Printers
- Computer storage media, disks, compact disks
- Apple and third party software (non-entertainment)
Notes:
The total sales price of all duty-free items cannot exceed $1,173. Computers and accessories, such as keyboards, mice, speakers, and monitors, are also eligible but only if they are sold by computer and the price does not exceed $1,173.
Visit the Alabama Department of Revenue website for more information.
Arkansas
Days: August 1–2, 2026
Products:
- All Macs
- All iPads
- All iPhones
- Printers
- Apple Vision Pro
- Accessories
- Keyboards
- Rats
- Apple Pencil
- Exhibitions
Notes: Visit the State of Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website for more information.
Massachusetts
Days: August 8–9, 2026
Products:
Any item valued at $2,500 or less is eligible for tax-free purchases. If you spend more than $2,500 on an item, the entire amount you pay is subject to sales tax, not just the difference. Although the price of each item must be $2,500 or less, you can buy multiple items tax-free, even if all the items together cost more than $2,500.
Notes: Visit the Massachusetts Department of Revenue website for more information.
Missouri
Days: August 7–9, 2026
Products:
- Computers ($1,500 or less)
- Macs
- iPads
- Accessories and other products ($1,500 or less)
- Exhibitions
- Keyboards
- Rats
- Apple Pencil
- Speakers/HomePods
- RAM upgrade
- Storage drives
- Microphone
- Printers
- Scanners
- Hard drives
- Flash drives
- Apple and third-party software (non-entertainment) ($350 or less)
Notes:
Computers and related accessories valued at $1,500 or less and software valued at $350 or less are eligible for tax-free purchases.
Visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website for more information.
In New Mexico
Days: July 31–August 2, 2026
Products:
- Computers ($1,000 or less)
- Macs
- iPads
- Accessories and other products ($500 or less)
- Keyboards
- Rats
- Apple Pencil
- Exhibitions
- Speakers/HomePods
- Computer cables
- RAM
- Microphone
- Hard drives (including Apple TV)
- Flash drives
- Printers
- Printing supplies (eg Lifeprint paper)
Notes:
Computers valued at $1,000 or less are eligible for tax-free purchases. Related accessories such as speakers, printers, keyboards, and mice priced at $500 or less are also eligible.
Visit the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department website for more information.
Tennessee
Days: July 31–August 2, 2026
Products:
- Computers and accessories ($1,500 or less)
- Macs
- iPads
- Accessories and other products (if purchased online)
- Exhibitions
- Keyboards
- Rats
- Apple Pencil
- Speakers/HomePods
- Cables
Notes:
Computers and other equipment valued at $1,500 are eligible for tax-free purchases. Accessories include the Apple Pencil, speakers, displays, keyboards, mice, and cables. Services that cannot be sold electronically are not eligible.
Visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue website for more information.
Virginia
Days: August 7–9, 2026
Products:
- Cell phone chargers ($60 or less)
- Cell phone batteries ($60 or less)
Notes:
Duty-free shopping only applies to cell phone chargers and batteries valued at $60 or less.
Visit the Virginia Department of Taxation website for more information.
West Virginia
Days: July 31-August 3, 2026
Products: iPads ($500 or less)
Notes:
The tax exemption applies only to laptops and tablets valued at $500 or less.
Visit the West Virginia Department of Taxation website for more information.
Overall, tax-free deals on Apple products appear to be few and far between. Only eight districts are eligible, and most of them are in the southeast. I live in New York, so I would have to drive to Massachusetts to pick something up, which wouldn’t be worth the trip. In many states, your options are also limited by product and price.
Also, I wish the tax free deals could be extended until September when the new iPhones and other products are expected to be launched. This is where Apple buyers can take advantage of the tax break. However, if you live in the right state and need a product or accessory now or soon, be sure to jump on this at the right time to save a little money.
