Tax-Free Weekends: When Popular Policy Meets Poor Economics

They’re popular, highly visible, and marketed as tax relief—but research shows sales tax holidays are inefficient, create compliance headaches, and often miss the mark for the taxpayers they’re meant to help.

Kyle Hulehan is joined by Katherine Loughead, Senior Policy Analyst and Research Manager at the Tax Foundation. Together, they break down why these policies persist—and what better alternatives might look like.