Taxes are trending today after a new sales tax hike took effect across Chicago and five surrounding counties on August 1, alongside a wave of IRS news about 2026 inflation adjustments and penalty relief programs. If rising sales tax has you rethinking where to shop on your next trip, a handful of US states still offer genuinely tax-free shopping.
1. Delaware
Delaware charges no state or local sales tax at all, and its outlet malls near Rehoboth Beach have built an entire tourism niche around exactly that fact.
2. Oregon
Portland and the rest of Oregon skip sales tax entirely, making it one of the best-value cities on the West Coast for a shopping-focused trip.
3. Montana
With no statewide sales tax, Montana is a quieter pick for tax-free travel shopping, especially paired with a national park trip through Glacier or Yellowstone’s northern entrance.
4. New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s lack of sales tax has made it a longtime cross-border shopping destination for New England travelers, especially around the holidays. A pair of Rhinestone-Embellished Cropped Jeans is exactly the kind of find worth a tax-free splurge.
5. Alaska
Alaska has no statewide sales tax, though some municipalities add their own local tax, so it pays to check the specific city before you plan a shopping-heavy itinerary. Layer a Denim Jacket over a High-Waist Midi Skirt for a trip that mixes shopping with Alaska’s outdoor scenery.
Why Tax-Free Shopping Trips Are Trending Now
With cities like Chicago raising sales tax and the IRS rolling out its 2026 inflation-adjusted brackets, more travelers are factoring tax rates directly into where they choose to shop, not just where they vacation.
Which US states have no sales tax at all?
Delaware, Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, and Alaska are the five states with no statewide sales tax, though some Alaska municipalities levy their own local tax.
Is it worth traveling somewhere just for tax-free shopping?
For big-ticket purchases, the savings can be significant, especially when paired with a trip you were already planning to take for other reasons.
Did sales tax rates change anywhere recently?
Yes — Chicago and five surrounding counties saw a sales tax increase take effect on August 1, 2026, adding to the cost of shopping trips in that region.
Shop Smart on Your Next Trip
A tax-free state can turn an ordinary shopping trip into real savings. Explore more travel-ready essentials at Around The World In A Rush.
Sources: WGN-TV, IRS Newsroom, U.S. Bank
Tags: #TaxFreeShopping #TravelDeals #ShoppingTrip #TravelTips #USTravel
